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pheromone

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pher⋅o⋅mone

[fer-uh-mohn]
–noun Animal Behavior.
any chemical substance released by an animal that serves to influence the physiology or behavior of other members of the same species.

Origin:
1959; < Gk phér(ein) to bear, bring + -o- + (hor)mone


pher⋅o⋅mo⋅nal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pher·o·mone   (fěr'ə-mōn')   
n.  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.

[Greek pherein, to carry; see bher-1 in Indo-European roots + (hor)mone.]
pher'o·mon'al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

pheromone 
"substance released in minute amounts by an animal that causes a specific response when detected by another animal," 1959, coined (by Karlson & Lüscher) from Gk. pherein "to carry" (see infer) + (hor)mone (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pher·o·mone
Pronunciation: 'fer-&-"mOn
Function: noun
: a chemical substance that is produced by an animal and servesespecially as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses called also ectohormone
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

pheromone pher·o·mone (fěr'ə-mōn')
n.
A chemical that is secreted by an animal, especially an insect, and that influences the behavior or development of others of the same species.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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