: merocrine
used especially of sweat glands
also : produced by an eccrine gland

Examples of eccrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In fact, there are actually two different kinds of sweat glands in the body – eccrine sweat glands and apocrine sweat glands. Alexis Benveniste, Allure, 26 Sep. 2023 It is caused when ducts from eccrine sweat glands that lead to the skin’s surface are blocked or inflamed. Matthew Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2023 The loss of hair on our bodies and the development of eccrine sweat glands were important evolutionary events, perhaps as important as the use of tools or fire. Jeff Goodell, Time, 6 July 2023 Clear, fluid eccrine sweat, produced in much larger quantities, spreads the apocrine over a larger surface area — and the stench along with it. Jessica Festa, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2015 An eccrine route of excretion probably produced chromhidrosis. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2013 Lu upped the ante, tracking stress in an area of the body that contains the highest concentration of eccrine sweat glands: the palm. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Dallas News, 16 Mar. 2023 Right now, scientists collect eccrine sweat gland data from the palm by attaching gel electrodes with dangling wires that connect to a wristwatch. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Dallas News, 16 Mar. 2023 Mammals are the only type of animals with eccrine sweat glands, though these glands are sometimes used to help animals grip rather than cool down in the heat. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 Aug. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eccrine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German ekkrin, borrowed from Greek ekkrínein "to secrete," from ek- ec- + krínein "to separate" — more at certain entry 1

Note: See note at apocrine.

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eccrine was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near eccrine

Cite this Entry

“Eccrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eccrine. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

eccrine

adjective
: of, relating to, having, or being eccrine glands compare apocrine, holocrine, merocrine
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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