(sɪˈkriːtərɪ) or secretive (ˈsiːkritiv; siˈkriːtiv)
adjective
of, relating to, or producing a secretion
a secretory cell
secretory function
secretory in American English
(sɪˈkritəri)
adjective
1.
of, or having the function of, secretion; secreting
noun
2.
a secretory gland, etc.
secretory in American English
(sɪˈkritəri) (nounplural -ries)
adjective
1.
pertaining to secretion
2.
performing the process of secretion
noun
3.
a secretory organ, vessel, or the like
Word origin
[1685–95; secret(ion) + -ory1]This word is first recorded in the period 1685–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: align, fatigue, overlap, patchwork, sterilize-ory an adjective-forming suffix, joined to bases of Latin origin in imitation of borrowedLatin words containing the suffix -tory (and its alternant -sory). Other words that use the affix -ory include: excretory, sensory, statutory
Examples of 'secretory' in a sentence
secretory
On the inside, those glycoproteins are constructed along the secretory network of organelles.