Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » pheromone

pheromone

(fer′ə mōn′)

noun

any of various chemical substances, secreted externally by certain animals, that convey information to, and produce specific responses in, other individuals of the same species

Origin: < Gr pherein, to carry, bear + -o- + (hor)mone

Related Forms:

pheromonal adjective

See pheromone in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A chemical secreted by an animal, especially an insect, that influences the behavior or development of others of the same species, often functioning as an attractant of the opposite sex.

Origin:

Origin: Greek pherein, to carry; see bher-¹ in Indo-European roots

Origin: + (hor)mone

Related Forms: