secrete
1[ si-kreet ]
/ sɪˈkrit /
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verb (used with object), se·cret·ed, se·cret·ing.
to discharge, generate, or release by the process of secretion.
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Origin of secrete
1First recorded in 1700–10; back formation from secretion
Other definitions for secrete (2 of 3)
secrete2
[ si-kreet ]
/ sɪˈkrit /
verb (used with object), se·cret·ed, se·cret·ing.
to place out of sight; hide; conceal: squirrels secreting nuts in a hollow tree trunk.
Origin of secrete
21735–45; alteration of obsolete secret, verb use of secret
synonym study for secrete
See hide1.
Other definitions for secrete (3 of 3)
secrète
[ suh-kret ]
/ səˈkrɛt /
noun Armor.
a steel skullcap of the 17th century, worn under a soft hat.
Origin of secrète
From French; see origin at secret
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use secrete in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for secrete (1 of 2)
secrete1
/ (sɪˈkriːt) /
verb
(of a cell, organ, etc) to synthesize and release (a secretion)
Derived forms of secrete
secretor, nounWord Origin for secrete
C18: back formation from secretion
British Dictionary definitions for secrete (2 of 2)
secrete2
/ (sɪˈkriːt) /
verb
(tr) to put in a hiding place
Word Origin for secrete
C18: variant of obsolete secret to hide away; see secret (n)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for secrete
secrete
[ sĭ-krēt′ ]
v.
To generate and release a substance from a cell or a gland.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for secrete
secrete
[ sĭ-krēt′ ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.