1. A device for preventing leakage of fluid past a joint in machinery
2. The movable part of a stuffing box by which the packing is compressed

ETYM French glande, Latin glans, glandis, acorn.
Specialized organ of the body that manufactures and secretes enzymes, hormones, or other chemicals. In animals, glands vary in size from small (for example, tear glands) to large (for example, the pancreas), but in plants they are always small, and may consist of a single cell. Some glands discharge their products internally, endocrine glands, and others, exocrine glands, externally. Lymph nodes are sometimes wrongly called glands.
Any of various organs that synthesize substances needed by the body and release it through ducts or directly into the bloodstream; SYN. secretory organ.