glandlike

Glandlike is a rare English adjective meaning shaped or formed like a gland. It describes an object's appearance or structure without necessarily identifying it as a gland or saying that it performs glandular work. Typical uses occur in descriptive botany, anatomy, and zoology, where small projections, hairs, lobes, or organs may be compared with glands because of their form. The word is related to gland, which comes through Old French from Latin glandula, a diminutive of glans, “acorn,” and in turn from a word meaning “swelling.” In ordinary prose, glandular is often the more familiar alternative, but it can imply a connection to actual glands, their tissue, or their secretions. Glandlike is therefore useful when visual resemblance is the central point and a precise, neutral description is wanted. Although uncommon, the word clearly conveys that something resembles a gland in outward form.

Resembling a gland in shape or appearance; shaped like a gland.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does glandlike come from?

Glandlike was formed in English by combining gland with the productive suffix -like, meaning “resembling.” Gland entered English through Old French from Latin glandula, a diminutive of glans, “acorn” or “swelling”; the anatomical sense developed from the resemblance of glands to acorns. The English formation follows the same general pattern as words such as lifelike and childlike.

How glandlike is actually used

Rare and chiefly technical, occurring most often in descriptive botanical, anatomical, and zoological writing.

Easily confused with glandlike

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Rhymes with glandlike