definitions
  • synonyms

holocrine

[ hol-uh-krin, -krahyn, hoh-luh- ]
/ ˈhɒl ə krɪn, -ˌkraɪn, ˈhoʊ lə- /

adjective

(of a gland) releasing a secretion that is a product of disintegrating cells.
(of a secretion) released by such a gland.

Nearby words

holocaine, holocarpic, holocaust, holocene, holocord, holocrine, holocrine gland, holocrystalline, holodiastolic, holoendemic, holoenzyme

Origin of holocrine

1900–05; holo- + -crine < Greek krī́nein to separate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for holocrine

holocrine

/ (ˈhɒləkrɪn) /

adjective

(of the secretion of glands) characterized by disintegration of the entire glandular cell in releasing its product, as in sebaceous glandsCompare merocrine, apocrine

Word Origin for holocrine

C20: from holo- + Greek krinein to separate, decide
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 holocrine

holocrine

[ hŏl′ə-krĭn, -krīn′, -krēn′, hō′lə- ]

adj.

Of or relating to a gland whose output consists of disintegrated secretory cells along with the secretory product itself.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.