Thymus (Noun)
Meaning 1
A ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The thymus plays a crucial role in the development of the immune system in children and adolescents.
- After the age of puberty, the thymus begins to atrophy and is replaced by fatty tissue.
- Researchers have found that the thymus is responsible for producing a type of white blood cell called T-lymphocytes.
- In individuals with thymus dysfunction, the body's ability to fight off infection and disease is severely impaired.
- The thymus is located behind the sternum, just above the heart, and is a vital component of the lymphatic system.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Large genus of Old World mints: thyme.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The thymus, a low-growing, spreading herb, is native to the Mediterranean region.
- Thymus serpyllum is a type of thyme commonly used in cooking, which has tiny, gray-green leaves and a distinctive minty aroma.
- The ornamental thymus varieties are ideal for containers, rock gardens, and edges of stone walls.
- Most species of thymus are drought-tolerant, making them suitable for xeriscaping and natural landscaping.
- Thymus praecox subsp arcticus is a low-spreading, mat-forming thyme variety that blooms in spring with pale pink flowers.