{Uropygial gland}, a peculiar sebaceous gland at the base of the tail feathers in most birds. It secretes an oily fluid which is spread over the feathers by preening. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
uropygial gland — n. a large gland located at the base of the tail in most birds, that secretes an oil used in preening … English World dictionary
Uropygial gland — The uropygial gland, or, more informally, the preen gland is a gland found in the large majority of birds that secretes an oil (preen oil) that birds use for preening. The chief compounds of preen oil are diester waxes called uropygiols.The gland … Wikipedia
uropygial gland — Ornith. a gland opening on the back at the base of the tail in most birds that secretes an oily fluid used by the bird in preening its feathers. Also called oil gland, preen gland. [1865 70] * * * … Universalium
uropygial gland — noun oil secreting gland situated at the base of the tail in most birds • Syn: ↑preen gland • Hypernyms: ↑oil gland • Part Holonyms: ↑bird … Useful english dictionary
uropygial gland — noun Date: 1870 a large gland that occurs in most birds, opens dorsally at the base of the tail feathers, and usually secretes an oily fluid which the bird uses in preening its feathers called also oil gland … New Collegiate Dictionary
uropygial gland — u•ro•pyg′i•al gland [[t]ˌyʊər əˈpɪdʒ i əl[/t]] n. orn a gland at the base of the tail in most birds that secretes an oily fluid used in preening • Etymology: 1865 … From formal English to slang
uropygial gland — /jurəˈpɪdʒiəl glænd/ (say yoohruh pijeeuhl gland) noun a gland opening on the uropygium at the root of the tail in most birds, and secreting an oily fluid used by the bird in preening its feathers …
uropygial gland — noun A secretory organ, at the base of a birds tail, that secretes the oil used in preening … Wiktionary
uropygial gland — preen g … Medical dictionary
Uropygial — U ro*pyg i*al, a. [See {Uropygium}.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the uropygium, or prominence at the base of the tail feathers, in birds. [1913 Webster] {Uropygial gland}, a peculiar sebaceous gland at the base of the tail feathers in most birds … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
