secretion

(si krēs̸hən)

noun

  1. the act of hiding or concealing something
    1. a process in which a gland, tissue, etc. produces a biochemical and releases it into the organism for special use by the organism or for excretion
    2. the substance thus released, including digestive juices, hormones, and perspiration

Origin: MFr < L secretio, separation < secretus: see secret

See secretion in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The process of secreting a substance, especially one that is not a waste, from the blood or cells: secretion of hormones; secretion of milk by the mammary glands.
  2. A substance, such as saliva, mucus, tears, bile, or a hormone, that is secreted.

Origin:

Origin: French sécrétion

Origin: , from Old French, separation

Origin: , from Latin sēcrētiō, sēcrētiōn-

Origin: , from sēcrētus

Origin: , past participle of sēcernere, to set aside; see secern

.

Related Forms:

  • se·creˈtion·arˌy (-shə-nĕrˌē) adjective

noun
  1. The act of concealing something in a hiding place.
  2. The act of stealing something secretly.

Origin:

Origin: From secrete2

.

Learn more about secretion

link/cite print suggestion box