I. ˈthīˌrȯid adjective
Etymology: New Latin thyroides, from Greek thyreoeidēs shaped like a shield, thyroid, from thyreos shield shaped like a door (from thyra door) + -eidēs -oid — more at door
1. of an anatomical part : shield-shaped — used almost exclusively of a cartilage in the larynx and an endocrine gland
2.
a. : of, relating to, involving, or caused or produced by the thyroid gland
a severe thyroid insufficiency
b. : suggestive of a disordered and especially a hyperactive thyroid
thyroid eyes
a tense thyroid personality
a somewhat thyroid spinster — Time
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin thyroides, from thyroides, adjective
1.
a. or thyroid gland : a large endocrine gland of craniate vertebrates that arises as a median ventral outgrowth of the pharynx, lies in the base of the neck or anterior ventral part of the thorax, is often accompanied by lateral accessory glands sometimes more or less fused with the main mass, produces an iodine-containing hormone having a profound influence on growth and development and specifically stimulating the metabolic rate, and has complex interrelations with the pituitary and adrenal and possibly other endocrine glands — see cretinism , goiter , hyperthyroidism , hypothyroidism , thyroxine ; compare myxedema
b. : a body part (as an artery or nerve) associated with the thyroid gland or cartilage
2. : a preparation of the thyroid gland of various food animals containing approximately 1/10 percent of iodine combined in thyroxine and used in treating thyroid disorders