hy·po·thal·a·mus

[hahy-puh-thal-uh-muhs]
noun, plural hy·po·thal·a·mi [-mahy] . Anatomy.
a region of the brain, between the thalamus and the midbrain, that functions as the main control center for the autonomic nervous system by regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc., and that acts as an endocrine gland by producing hormones, including the releasing factors that control the hormonal secretions of the pituitary gland.

Origin:
1895–1900; < Neo-Latin; see hypo-, thalamus

hy·po·tha·lam·ic [hahy-poh-thuh-lam-ik, hip-oh-] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Hypothalamus is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
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World English Dictionary
hypothalamus (ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -mi
a neural control centre at the base of the brain, concerned with hunger, thirst, satiety, and other autonomic functions
 
hypothalamic
 
adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

hypothalamus
1896, coined 1893 in Ger. from Gk. hypo- "under" (see sub-) + thalamus "part of the brain where a nerve emerges."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

hypothalamus hy·po·thal·a·mus (hī'pō-thāl'ə-məs)
n.
The part of the brain that lies below the thalamus, forming the major portion of the ventral region of the diencephalon, and that regulates bodily temperature, certain metabolic processes, and other autonomic activities.


hy'po·tha·lam'ic (-thə-lām'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
hypothalamus   (hī'pō-thāl'ə-məs)  Pronunciation Key 
The part of the brain in vertebrate animals that lies below the thalamus and cerebrum. The hypothalamus controls the autonomic nervous system and the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. Through these nerve and hormone channels, the hypothalamus regulates many vital biological processes, including body temperature, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, and the sleep-wake cycle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
hypothalamus [(heye-puh-thal-uh-muhs)]

The part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst, and body temperature and regulates various activities in the body connected with metabolism, including the maintaining of water balance. The hypothalamus also controls the action of the pituitary gland.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
Abnormalities or injury to the hypothalamus gland can cause obesity.
The signals are received in a structure at the base of the brain called the
  hypothalamus.
It bulges out from the hypothalamus and fills much of the neighboring cavity.
Chemotherapy may be especially useful when the tumor extends into the
  hypothalamus.
Image for hypothalamus
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