holocrine

[ hol-uh-krin, -krahyn, hoh-luh- ]
/ ˈhɒl ə krɪn, -ˌkraɪn, ˈhoʊ lə- /

adjective

(of a gland) releasing a secretion that is a product of disintegrating cells.
(of a secretion) released by such a gland.

Origin of holocrine

1900–05; holo- + -crine < Greek krī́nein to separate

Words nearby holocrine

holocaine, holocarpic, holocaust, holocene, holocord, holocrine, holocrine gland, holocrystalline, holodiastolic, holoendemic, holoenzyme

British Dictionary definitions for holocrine

holocrine
/ (ˈhɒləkrɪn) /

adjective

(of the secretion of glands) characterized by disintegration of the entire glandular cell in releasing its product, as in sebaceous glands Compare merocrine, apocrine

Word Origin for holocrine

C20: from holo- + Greek krinein to separate, decide

Medical definitions for holocrine

holocrine
[ hŏl′ə-krĭn, -krīn′, -krēn′, hō′lə- ]

adj.

Of or relating to a gland whose output consists of disintegrated secretory cells along with the secretory product itself.