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

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.

From 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.

From BBC

Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago for their meat, furry water-resistant pelts and a substance they secrete called castoreum - used in food, medicine and perfume.

From BBC

Her team pays attention to other stress markers, such as that they secrete mucus when biologically stressed.

From Salon

The Egyptian air accident investigation report concluded there was a "detonation of an explosive device secreted in the forward galley", the area just behind the cockpit.

From BBC

Related Words

• stash 
• stow