GLAND

I. noun Etymology: French ~e, from Old French, ~ular swelling on the neck, ~, ultimately from Latin ~-, glans acorn; akin to Greek balanos acorn Date: 1692 1. a specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body, any of various animal structures suggestive of ~s though not secretory in function, any of various secreting organs (as a nectary) of plants, ~less adjective II. noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1839 a device for preventing leakage of fluid past a joint in machinery, the movable part of a stuffing box by which the packing is compressed