endocrine

[ en-duh-krin, -krahyn, -kreen ]

/ ˈɛn də krɪn, -ˌkraɪn, -ˌkrin /

Anatomy, Physiology

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.

secreting internally into the blood or lymph.

of or relating to an endocrine gland or its secretion.

noun

an internal secretion; hormone.

endocrine gland.

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for endocrine

After surgery, the patients all received the standard therapy of chemo, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy.
How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer|ProPublica|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
WGA may also have direct toxic effects on the heart, endocrine, and immune systems, and even the brain.
Wheat Threatens All Humans, New Research Shows|David Perlmutter, MD|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In Vienna she had undergone a new medical process, involving her endocrine glands, that rejuvenates the body and skin.
American Dreams, 1923: Black Oxen by Gertrude Atherton|Nathaniel Rich|March 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The endocrine hypothesis, suggested by Funk in his monograph, is not without some corroborative evidence.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess

Lots of theories—enzymes, blood sugar, endocrine balance, what have you—but no proof.
The Galaxy Primes|Edward Elmer Smith
Another physical anomaly, which is presumably of endocrine origin, is the suppression of the menses.
Benign Stupors|August Hoch
This secretory or endocrine idea has also given us an entirely new view of sex differences.
Taboo and Genetics|Melvin Moses Knight, Iva Lowther Peters, and Phyllis Mary Blanchard
"I'm not so sure about that endocrine shift, sir," Tensor stated emotionlessly.
Fair and Warmer|E. G. von Wald

British Dictionary definitions for endocrine

endocrine

/ (ˈɛndəʊˌkraɪn, -krɪn) /

adjective Also: endocrinal (ˌɛndəʊˈkraɪnəl), endocrinic (ˌɛndəʊˈkrɪnɪk), endocrinous (ɛnˈdɒkrɪnəs)

of or denoting endocrine glands or their secretionsendocrine disorders

noun

an endocrine gland

Compare exocrine

Word Origin for endocrine

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 endocrine

endocrine

adj.

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

Medicine definitions for endocrine

endocrine

[ ĕn′də-krĭn, -krēn′, -krīn′ ]

adj.

Secreting internally, most commonly into the systemic circulation.

Of or relating to endocrine glands or the hormones secreted by them.

n.

The secretion of an endocrine gland.

An endocrine gland.