holocrine

[hol-uh-krin, -krahyn, hoh-luh-]

adjective

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

(of a secretion) released by such a gland.

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

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.