excrete
[ ik-skreet ]
/ ɪkˈskrit /
verb (used with object), ex·cret·ed, ex·cret·ing.
to separate and eliminate from an organic body; separate and expel from the blood or tissues, as waste or harmful matter.
Nearby words
Origin of excrete
1610–20; < Latin excrētus (past participle of excernere to sift out, separate), equivalent to ex- ex-1 + crē- (perfect stem of cernere to sift) + -tus past participle suffix
Related formsex·cret·er, nounex·cre·tive, adjectiveun·ex·cret·ed, adjective
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for excrete
British Dictionary definitions for excrete
excrete
/ (ɪkˈskriːt) /
verb
to discharge (waste matter, such as urine, sweat, carbon dioxide, or faeces) from the body through the kidneys, skin, lungs, bowels, etc
(of plants) to eliminate (waste matter, such as carbon dioxide and salts) through the leaves, roots, etc
Derived Formsexcreter, nounexcretion, nounexcretive or excretory, adjective
Word Origin for excrete
C17: from Latin excernere to separate, discharge, from cernere to sift
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for excrete
excrete
1610s, from Latin excretus, past participle of excernere (see excrement). Related: Excreted; excreting.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for excrete
excrete
[ ĭk-skrēt′ ]
v.
To eliminate waste material from the body.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.