secrete

¹

[si-kreet]

verb (used with object)

secreted, secreting 

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

secrete

²

[si-kreet]

verb (used with object)

secreted, secreting 

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

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.

Other Word Forms

• secretor 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

"Many of the cyst-lining cells actually make growth factors and they secrete them into the cyst fluid," he explained.

Read more on Science Daily

She declares herself a powerful deity and explains that God is essentially a “tube” that constantly ingests and secretes experiences and things.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This led the team to investigate how these proteins are secreted into the plant's sap.

Read more on Science Daily

These creatures, more commonly known as violet snails, are distinguished by their striking purple shell and the delicate bubble raft they secrete to stay afloat in the open ocean.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They say their design choices make a difference to overall performance, which the firm can track thanks to the many heat and pressure sensors it secretes within the device.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• stash 
• stow