apocrine

[ ap-uh-krin, -krahyn, -kreen ]

adjective

, Physiology.

1. of or relating to certain glands whose secretions are acted upon by bacteria to produce the characteristic odor of perspiration ( eccrine ).
2. of or relating to such secretions:

   apocrine sweat.

apocrine

/ -krɪn; ˈæpəkraɪn /

adjective

1. See holocrine, merocrine
   denoting a type of glandular secretion in which part of the secreting cell is lost with the secretion, as in mammary glands Compare merocrine holocrine

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocrine¹

1925–30; < Greek apokrī́nein to set apart, equivalent to apo- apo- + krī́nein to separate, choose; formed as if with -ine ¹, probably on the model of endocrine

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocrine¹

C20: from apo- + -crine, from Greek krinein to separate

Example Sentences

Most of our potent body odour arises from a kind of sweat that emerges from apocrine glands in our armpits.

From Time

Rudden and Thomas were looking for an enzyme that would break down apocrine sweat.

From Science News For Students

Michelle Rudden and Gavin Thomas wanted to know how apocrine sweat turns into that off-putting body odor.

From Science News For Students