Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

endocrine

[en-duh-krin, -krahyn, -kreen]Anatomy, Physiology
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
adjective Also en·do·cri·nal [en-duh-krahyn-l, -kreen-l] /ˌɛn dəˈkraɪn l, -ˈkrin l/, en·do·crin·ic [en-duh-krin-ik] /ˈɛn dəˈkrɪn ɪk/, endocrinous.
  1. secreting internally into the blood or lymph.
  2. of or relating to an endocrine gland or its secretion.
noun
  1. an internal secretion; hormone.
  2. endocrine gland.
Compare exocrine.

Origin of endocrine

1910–15; endo- + -crine < Greek krī́nein to separate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for endocrines

Historical Examples

  • Some day we shall have the proverb: 'A man is as old as his endocrines.'

    Black Oxen

    Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton

  • Sulfa-tetradine deposits out in the endocrines, so a single dose is all a person can take.

    Mate in Two Moves

    Winston Marks

British Dictionary definitions for endocrines

endocrine

adjective Also: endocrinal (ˌɛndəʊˈkraɪnəl), endocrinic (ˌɛndəʊˈkrɪnɪk), endocrinous (ɛnˈdɒkrɪnəs)
  1. of or denoting endocrine glands or their secretionsendocrine disorders
noun
  1. an endocrine gland
Compare exocrine

Word Origin

C20: from endo- + -crine, from Greek krinein to separate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for endocrines

endocrine

adj.

"secretly, internally," 1914, from endo- + Latinized form of Greek krinein "to separate, distinguish" (see crisis).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
endocrines in Medicine

endocrine

(ĕn′də-krĭn, -krēn′, -krīn′)
adj.
  1. Secreting internally, most commonly into the systemic circulation.
  2. Of or relating to endocrine glands or the hormones secreted by them.
n.
  1. The secretion of an endocrine gland.
  2. An endocrine gland.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.