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Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin (short for hypophysis cerebrī, literally, "outgrowth of the brain"), borrowed from Greek hypóphysis "attachment underneath," from hypophýesthai "to grow up below or in place of" (from hypo- hypo- + phýesthai "to grow, spring up, be born," middle voice of phýein "to bring forth, produce") + -sis, suffix forming nouns of action or process — more at be
First Known Use
1825, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hypophysis
Cite this Entry
“Hypophysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypophysis. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on hypophysis
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypophysis
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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