secrete

¹ American  

[si-kreet] / sɪˈkrit /

verb (used with object)

secreted, secreting

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

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secrete ² American  

[si-kreet] / sɪˈkrit /

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

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secrète ³ American  

[suh-kret] / səˈkrɛt /

noun

Armor.

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

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secrete ¹ British  

/ sɪˈkriːt /

verb

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

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secrete ² British  

/ sɪˈkriːt /

verb

1. (tr) to put in a hiding place

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secrete Scientific  

/ 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.

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Related Words

See hide ¹.

Other Word Forms

• secretor noun

Etymology

Origin of secrete¹

First recorded in 1700–10; back formation from secretion

Origin of secrete¹

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

Origin of secrète¹

From French; secret

Example Sentences

The E. coli dutifully secreted the tiny syringes, which, when exposed to insect cells, bound to them and injected their toxins as expected.

From Scientific American

To attract females, male German cockroaches typically secrete a sweet goo on their backs.

From Science Magazine

When a male roach targets a female roach, he will back up to her, secreting a solution called a nuptial gift from the tergal gland under his wings.

From New York Times

What’s more, the wildflowers’ sticky hairs oozed phosphatase, a digestive enzyme that many carnivorous plants secrete to consume prey.

From Washington Post

A tumor pressing against his pituitary gland caused it to secrete abnormal levels of growth hormone.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• stash
• stow