Hypernyms (thermometer is a kind of...): measuring device; measuring instrument; measuring system (instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something) Meronyms (parts of thermometer):
Noun. 1. hormone-the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect. endocrine, internal secretion. secretion-a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell.
A hormone is a chemical messenger produced by a cell that effects specific change in the cellular activity of other cells (target cells). Unlike exocrine glands (which produce substances such as saliva, milk, stomach acid and digestive enzymes), endocrine glands do not secrete substances into ducts (tubes).