apocrine

[ ap-uh-krin, -krahyn, -kreen ]
/ ˈæp ə krɪn, -ˌkraɪn, -ˌkrin /

adjective Physiology.

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

Origin of apocrine

1925–30; < Greek apokrī́nein to set apart, equivalent to apo- apo- + krī́nein to separate, choose; formed as if with -ine1, probably on the model of endocrine

Words nearby apocrine

apochromat, apochromatic, apochromatic objective, apocopate, apocope, apocrine, apocrine adenoma, apocrine carcinoma, apocrine chromesthesia, apocrine gland, apocrine metaplasia

British Dictionary definitions for apocrine

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

Word Origin for apocrine

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

Medical definitions for apocrine

apocrine
[ ăp′ə-krĭn, -krīn′, -krēn′ ]

adj.

Of or relating to an apocrine gland or its secretions.

n.

The apocrine gland.