Main Entry: se·cre·tion

Pronunciation: \si-ˈkrē-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: French sécrétion, from Latin secretion-, secretio separation, from secernere to separate — more at secret

Date: 1646

1 a : the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing some material either functionally specialized (as saliva) or isolated for excretion (as urine) b : a product of secretion formed by an animal or plant; especially : one performing a specific useful function in the organism
2 [²secrete] : the act of hiding something : concealment

— se·cre·tion·ary \-shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective