secrete

/si'kri:t/

Thân thiện

The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine.

Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To conceal or hide something: To place something out of sight or to keep it secret.
   • To generate and release a substance: (In biology and physiology) To produce and discharge a substance from a cell, gland, or organ into a surrounding medium, such as a bodily fluid or the bloodstream.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (meaning: to hide):

  • He managed to secrete the documents in a safe place before the search.
  • The thief secreted the stolen jewels in a hollow tree.

• Verb (meaning: to produce and release a substance):

  • The pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
  • Sweat glands secrete perspiration to help cool the body.

Advanced Usage

• "to secrete something away": To hide or store something carefully and secretly, often over time.
  • Over the years, he had secreted away a small fortune in various bank accounts.

Variants and Related Words

• Secretion (noun): The process of secreting a substance, or the substance that is secreted.

  • The secretion of gastric juices is essential for digestion.
  • Mucus is a sticky secretion that protects certain tissues.

• Secretory (adjective): Relating to or involved in secretion.

  • The secretory function of the gland is impaired.

Synonyms

• Hide, conceal, stash: (for the meaning of concealing).
• Excrete, emit, release, produce: (for the biological meaning). Note: "Excrete" often implies waste removal, while "secrete" is more general.

Different Meanings and Notes

• The two primary meanings of "secrete" are distinct. The context usually makes it clear whether the word refers to hiding an object or to a biological process.
• The biological meaning is more common in scientific and medical contexts.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Constructions

• Secrete away: As shown in 'Advanced Usage', this phrasal verb emphasizes the act of hiding something securely and often implies accumulation.
  • She had secreted away her most precious letters in a locked box.

Học thuật

Verb

1. place out of sight; keep secret
   • The money was secreted from his children
2. generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
   • secrete digestive juices
   • release a hormone into the blood stream

Từ đồng nghĩa

• release