apocrine

[ ap-uh-krin, -krahyn, -kreen ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

, Physiology.

of or relating to certain glands whose secretions are acted upon by bacteria to produce the characteristic odor of perspiration ( eccrine ).
of or relating to such secretions:
apocrine sweat.

apocrine

/ ˈæpəkraɪn; -krɪn /

adjective

denoting a type of glandular secretion in which part of the secreting cell is lost with the secretion, as in mammary glands Compare merocrine holocrine

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Word History and Origins

Origin of apocrine¹

1925–30; < Greek apokrī́nein to set apart, equivalent to apo- apo- + krī́nein to separate, choose; formed as if with -ine ¹, probably on the model of endocrine

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Word History and Origins

Origin of apocrine¹

C20: from apo- + -crine, from Greek krinein to separate

apocope apocrypha

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