se·cre·tion 1 (s -kr  sh n)n. 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. [French sécrétion, from Old French, separation, from Latin s crti , scrtin-, from scrtus, past participle of scernere, to set aside; see secern.]se·cre tion·ar y (-sh-n r) adj. |
| se·cre·tion 2 (s-krshn) n. 1. The act of concealing something in a hiding place. 2. The act of stealing something secretly. [From secrete.] |
secretion [sɪˈkriːʃən]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) a substance that is released from a cell, esp a glandular cell, and is synthesized in the cell
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the process involved in producing and releasing such a substance from the cell
[from Medieval Latin sēcrētiō, from Latin: a separation; see secern]
secretionary adj
| secretion (s-krshn) 1. The process of secreting a substance from a cell or gland. 2. A substance, such as saliva, mucus, tears, bile, or a hormone, that is secreted. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | secretion - the organic process of synthesizing and releasing some substance galactosis - the secretion of milk hypersecretion - excessive secretion biological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms salivation - the secretion of saliva |
| 2. | secretion - a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell ganoin, ganoine - shiny substance that resemble enamel and is secreted by the corium of certain fishes (especially ganoid fishes) and composes the outer layer of their scales lachrymal secretion, lacrimal secretion - saline fluid secreted by lacrimal glands; lubricates the surface of the eyeball endocrine, hormone, internal secretion - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect intestinal juice - secretions by glands lining the walls of the intestines autacoid, autocoid - any physiologically active internal secretion especially one of uncertain classification synovia, synovial fluid - viscid lubricating fluid secreted by the membrane lining joints and tendon sheaths etc. mucous secretion, mucus - protective secretion of the mucus membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium saliva, spittle, spit - a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches sebum - the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands; with perspiration it moistens and protects the skin royal jelly - a secretion of the pharyngeal glands of bees that is fed to very young larvae and to bees destined to be queens musk - an odorous glandular secretion from the male musk deer; used as a perfume fixative nectar - a sweet liquid secretion that is attractive to pollinators pheromone - a chemical substance secreted externally by some animals (especially insects) that influences the physiology or behavior of other animals of the same species |
secretion
noun discharge, emission, excretion, exudation, extravasation (Medical) the secretion of adrenaline
Translations
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