merocrine

adjective

mer·​o·​crine ˈmer-ə-krən How to pronounce merocrine (audio)
-ˌkrīn,
-ˌkrēn
: producing a secretion that does not contain cellular components and is discharged without major damage to the secreting cell
also : produced by a merocrine gland

Examples of merocrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nikole Paige Rickard, a veterinary technician at the VCA Apex Animal Hospital in Apex, North Carolina, tells Woman's Day that dogs sweat through their paws with glands called merocrine glands. Jo Yurcaba, Woman's Day, 2 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'merocrine.' 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 French mérocrine, from méro- mero- + -crine, from the stem of Greek krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide" — more at certain entry 1

Note: See note at holocrine.

First Known Use

circa 1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of merocrine was circa 1905

Dictionary Entries Near merocrine

Cite this Entry

“Merocrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merocrine. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

merocrine

adjective
: producing a secretion that is discharged without major damage to the secreting cells
merocrine glands
also : of or produced by a merocrine gland
a merocrine secretion
compare apocrine, eccrine, holocrine
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