gland 1 (gl?nd)n.1. a. Any of various organs or cell groups, such as the adrenal glands and the salivary glands, that are of endothelial origin and secrete a substance that is used or excreted by the body.b. Any of various organs, such as lymph nodes, that resemble true glands but perform a nonsecretory function.2. Botany An organ or a structure that secretes a substance.[French glande, from Old French glandre, alteration of Latin glandula, diminutive of gl?ns, gland-, acorn.]gland 2 (gl?nd)n. A device, such as the outer sleeve of a stuffing box, designed to prevent a fluid from leaking past a moving machine part.[Perhaps akin to Scots glams, jaws of a vise, pincers, probably from variant of clam.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.gland (?lænd) n1. (Anatomy) a cell or organ in man and other animals that synthesizes chemical substances and secretes them for the body to use or eliminate, either through a duct (exocrine gland) or directly into the bloodstream (endocrine gland). See also exocrine gland, endocrine gland2. (Anatomy) a structure, such as a lymph node, that resembles a gland in form3. (Botany) a cell or organ in plants that synthesizes and secretes a particular substance[C17: from Latin gl?ns acorn] ?gland?like adjgland (?lænd) n (Mechanical Engineering) a device that prevents leakage of fluid along a rotating shaft or reciprocating rod passing through a boundary between areas of high and low pressure. It often consists of a flanged metal sleeve bedding into a stuffing box[C19: of unknown origin]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014gland1 (glænd) n. any organ or group of cells specialized for producing secretions, as insulin or sweat. Compare endocrine gland, exocrine gland. [1685?95;