exocrine

[ ek-suh-krin, -krahyn, -kreen ]

/ ˈɛk sə krɪn, -ˌkraɪn, -ˌkrin /

Anatomy, Physiology

adjective

secreting to an epithelial surface.

of or relating to an exocrine gland or its secretion.

noun

an external secretion.

exocrine gland.

Nearby words

exobiota, exocardia, exocarp, exocentric, exocet, exocrine, exocrine gland, exocrinology, exocuticle, exocytose, exocytosis

Compare endocrine.

Origin of exocrine

1910–15; exo- + -crine < Greek krī́nein to separate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for exocrine

exocrine

/ (ˈɛksəʊˌkraɪn, -krɪn) /

adjective

of or relating to exocrine glands or their secretions

noun

an exocrine gland

Compare endocrine

Word Origin for exocrine

C20: exo- + -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

Medicine definitions for exocrine

exocrine

[ ĕk′sə-krĭn, -krēn, -krīn′ ]

adj.

Of or relating to a glandular secretion released externally through a duct to a surface.

Relating to a gland that secretes outwardly through a duct or ducts.