excreta

[ ik-skree-tuh ]

noun

, (usually used with a plural verb)

1. excreted matter, as urine, feces, or sweat.

excreta

/ ɪkˈskriːtə /

plural noun

1. waste matter, such as urine, faeces, or sweat, discharged from the body; excrement

Derived Forms

• exˈcretal, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·cretal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excreta¹

1855–60; < Latin excrēta things sifted out or separated, neuter plural of excrētus; excrete

Word History and Origins

Origin of excreta¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin excernere to excrete

Example Sentences

The team collected excreta samples daily during the entire experimental period and analyzed DNA to identify bacteria present.

From Science Daily

There is also a concern that the disease was passed via infected poultry litter — a mix of poultry excreta, spilled feed, feathers, and other waste scraped from the floors of industrial chicken and turkey production plants — which, in the United States, is used in cattle feed on some farms.

From Los Angeles Times

Nitrogen, which is vital for plant growth, is present in animal excreta and synthetic fertilisers that are applied to land to boost crop production.

From Science Daily

Outbreaks are sporadic and previous infections in South Asia were traced to consumption of items contaminated with bat excreta.

From Reuters

Outbreaks are sporadic and previous infections in South Asia have occurred when people drank date-palm sap contaminated with bat excreta.

From Reuters

Related Words

• droppings
• dung
• feces
• manure
• urine