emunctory

American  

[ih-muhngk-tuh-ree] / ɪˈmʌŋk tə ri /

noun

• emunctories
  plural

1. a part or organ of the body, as the skin or a kidney, that functions in carrying off waste products.

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adjective

1. excretory.

emunctory British  

/ -trɪ, ɪˈmʌŋktərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to a bodily organ or duct having an excretory function

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noun

1. an excretory organ or duct, such as a skin pore

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• emunctories
  plural

Etymology

Origin of emunctory

1535–45; < New Latin ēmunctōrium (noun), ēmunctōrius (adj.), equivalent to Latin ēmung ( ere ) to wipe one's nose ( ē- e- ¹ + -mungere, akin to mūcus mucus ) + -tōrium -tory ², -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emunctory emunctories

Its most important effect," says a writer in the Popular Science Monthly, "is the stimulation of the emunctory action of the skin.

From Hygienic Physiology : with Special Reference to the Use of Alcoholic Drinks and Narcotics by Steele, Joel Dorman

And lastly, the skin is a great emunctory, and carries off waste matters from the body.

From The Art of Living in Australia ; together with three hundred Australian cookery recipes and accessory kitchen information by Mrs. H. Wicken by Muskett, Philip E.

I think people not able to pay forfeited "the prominence on the face, which is the organ of scent, and emunctory of the brain," as good Walker says.

From Notes and Queries, Number 51, October 19, 1850 by Various

The cods of musk are natural bags or emunctories, found near the genitals on the males of an animal named Moschus Moschiferus, or Thibet Musk.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 07 by Kerr, Robert

Rational Treatment.—The old rule of getting the emunctories at work must be the basis of any rational therapy of colds.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

The various emunctories or outlets of the body should, undoubtedly, be kept open and free, so that every portion of worn-out or effete matter may be effectually got rid of.

From Forty Years in the Wilderness of Pills and Powders Cogitations and Confessions of an Aged Physician by Alcott, William A. (William Andrus)

The intestinal canal, the skin, and the kidneys are the emunctories through which elimination must be effected.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Laxatives, diaphoretics, and diuretics must be used to stimulate the emunctories so that they may carry off the large amount of the products of decomposition which result from the stagnated effusions of anasarca.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.