Meanings
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1
noun
an endocrine gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism, growth, and development
Blood tests showed that her thyroid was producing too little hormone.
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2
adj
relating to the thyroid gland or its hormones and disorders
The doctor ordered further thyroid tests after reviewing the symptoms.
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3
noun
the large shield-shaped cartilage forming the front and sides of the larynx
The thyroid cartilage protects the vocal folds within the larynx.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From New Latin thyreoides, from Greek thyreoeides ("shield-shaped"), built from thyreos ("oblong shield") + -eides ("resembling"). The name first described the shield-shaped laryngeal cartilage; the nearby gland was later called the thyroid gland.