pituitary

noun, plural pi·tu·i·tar·ies.

1. pituitary gland.
2. Pharmacology. the extract obtained from the lobes of the pituitary glands of hogs, sheep, and other domestic animals: the posterior lobe constituent increases blood pressure, contracts stomach muscles, etc., and the anterior lobe constituent regulates growth of the skeleton.

adjective

3. of, relating to, or involving the pituitary gland.
4. noting a physical type of abnormal size with overgrown extremities resulting from excessive pituitary secretion.

noun plural -taries

1. See pituitary gland, pituitary extract

adjective

2. of or relating to the pituitary gland
3. archaic of or relating to phlegm or mucus

adj.1610s, from Latin pituitarius “mucous,” from pituita “clammy moisture, phlegm, mucus, slime,” possibly from PIE root *peie- “to be fat, swell” (see pine (n.)). Taken as the name for the gland because it was believed that it channeled mucus to the nose. As a noun by 1899. n.

1. The pituitary gland.
2. An extract from the anterior or posterior lobes of the pituitary gland, prepared for therapeutic use.

adj.

1. Of or relating to the pituitary gland.
2. Of or secreting phlegm or mucus; mucous.