Definition of: gland

(gland) noun
1. Anat. Any of various organs, composed of specialized epithelial tissue, intended for the secretion of materials essential to the bodily system or for the elimination of waste products: the salivary glands, endocrine glands.
2. A glandlike structure; a lymph gland.
3. Aeron. A tube so fitted to the envelope or gas bag of an airship as to allow the passing of a line through it without leakage of air or gas.
4. Bot. A special secreting organ in plants.
5. Mech. One of various parts of a mechanism that hold something in place; especially, a device for compressing the packing in a stuffing box in order to prevent leakage of a fluid under pressure. [<F glande <OF glandre <L glandula, dim. of glans, glandis acorn]