French word

sécrétion

Pronunciation

IPA/sekʁesjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsecretion

Example

Les sécrétions nasales sont claires.

Nasal secretions are clear.

Illustration for sécrétion (secretion)

More examples

Après le repas, la sécrétion salivaire aide à la digestion.

After the meal, salivary secretion helps digestion.

Core concept

A gland or cell as a small workshop that releases its product into a body space or onto a surface.

Common phrases

  • sécrétion salivaire

    salivary secretion

  • sécrétion de mucus

    mucus secretion

  • sécrétion gastrique

    gastric secretion

Similar words

écoulement: The release of fluid from a bodily opening or cavity, or the fluid released.
mucus: A thick, sticky fluid produced by mucous membranes.
sueur: Moisture that seeps from the skin as sweat.

Definition in French

Désigne l'action par laquelle des cellules ou des glandes produisent et libèrent des substances, et parfois les substances ainsi émises.

Word origin

The French noun sécrétion preserves the Latin idea of separating something out, from secretio and the verb secernere.

Usage tips

  • Sécrétion belongs mainly to scientific and medical French, while everyday speech often uses a more specific noun such as sueur.

Opposites

Related words

  • sécrétersecreteverb

Word lists with this word