hypophysis

noun

hy·​poph·​y·​sis hī-ˈpä-fə-səs How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
plural hypophyses hī-ˈpä-fə-ˌsēz How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
: pituitary gland

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypophysis was in 1825

Rhymes for hypophysis

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Browse Nearby Words

hypophysectomy
hypophysis
hypopituitarism
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Cite this Entry

“Hypophysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypophysis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hypophysis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypophysis

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