exocrine

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

/ ˈɛk sə krɪn, -ˌkraɪn, -ˌkrin /

Anatomy, Physiology

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adjective

secreting to an epithelial surface.

of or relating to an exocrine gland or its secretion.

noun

an external secretion.

exocrine gland.

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Origin of exocrine

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

Words nearby exocrine

exobiology, exobiota, exocarp, exocentric, Exocet, exocrine, exocrine gland, exocrinology, exocuticle, exocytose, exocytosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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