secrete

¹

[ si-kreet ]

verb (used with object)

, se·cret·ed, se·cret·ing.

1. to discharge, generate, or release by the process of secretion.

secrete

²

[ si-kreet ]

verb (used with object)

, se·cret·ed, se·cret·ing.

1. to place out of sight; hide; conceal:

   squirrels secreting nuts in a hollow tree trunk.

   Synonyms: disguise, shroud, cover

secrète

³

[ suh-kret ]

noun

, Armor.

1. a steel skullcap of the 17th century, worn under a soft hat.

secrete

¹

/ sɪˈkriːt /

verb

1. (of a cell, organ, etc) to synthesize and release (a secretion)

secrete

²

/ sɪˈkriːt /

verb

1. tr to put in a hiding place

secrete

/ sĭ-krēt′ /

1. To produce and discharge a substance, especially from the cells of specialized glands. For example, the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas secrete the hormone insulin.

Derived Forms

• seˈcretor, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of secrete¹

First recorded in 1700–10; back formation from secretion

Origin of secrete²

1735–45; alteration of obsolete secret, verb use of secret

Origin of secrete³

From French; secret

Word History and Origins

Origin of secrete¹

C18: back formation from secretion

Origin of secrete²

C18: variant of obsolete secret to hide away; see secret (n)

Synonym Study

See hide ¹.

Example Sentences

The toxin secreted by the bacteria Burkholderia cenocepacia unexpectedly proved to be the solution needed to create a mitochondria-friendly base editor.

From Science News

New microscope and chemical analyses suggest that, like snakes, caecilians have glands near their teeth that secrete toxins.

From Science News

He has helped show that the animals have separate glands for secreting mucus on their heads and poison on their tails.

From Science News

These lingering cells secrete a potent mix of molecules that triggers chronic inflammation, damages the surrounding tissue structures, and changes the behavior of nearby cells for the worse.

From Singularity Hub 

These proteins are secreted by cells for the purpose of signaling and communication between cells.

From No Straight News

Your body begins to secrete adrenaline, your cortisol levels rise, and your heart starts pumping faster.

From The Daily Beast

They had ridden out of the bush and come on the road so suddenly that Black had no time to secrete himself.

From Project Gutenberg

When the alarm was given on a plantation that the Yankees were coming, the farmers made all haste to secrete their horses.

From Project Gutenberg

Two or three pads, each of which bears tubelike hairs that secrete a sticky fluid, are found on its under surface.

From Project Gutenberg

Frequently the nerves dilate the blood vessels of the skin, thus helping the sweat glands to secrete, by giving them more blood.

From Project Gutenberg

Secrete this somewhere on your persons and never show it except as an absolute last resort.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• stash
• stow