secretion
- 01 C1 Advanced
a liquid or substance that a plant or animal produces for a special purpose.
a substance, such as a hormone or enzyme, that is produced and discharged by a cell, gland, or organ for a specific function.
Simple“The sticky secretion on the plant's leaves helps it catch small insects.”
In context“Biologists analyzed the oily secretion from the bird's glands, which serves to waterproof its feathers during long migrations.”
UsageCommonly used as a countable noun when referring to specific types of substances.
Synonymsdischargeexudate - 02 C1 Advanced
the natural process of a body part releasing a substance.
the physiological process by which a cell or gland synthesizes and releases a specific product.
Simple“Stress can lead to the secretion of certain hormones in the body.”
In context“The excessive secretion of stomach acid can lead to discomfort and long-term digestive issues if left untreated.”
UsageOften functions as an uncountable noun when describing the biological mechanism.
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
the act of hiding something away so others cannot find it.
the act of concealing or hiding something from view or discovery.
Simple“The secretion of the stolen documents in a floorboard kept them safe for years.”
In context“The rapid secretion of the assets into offshore accounts made it difficult for the investigators to track the funds.”
UsageThis sense is related to the verb 'secrete' meaning to hide, rather than the biological meaning.
Teacher's tipThis sense is much rarer than the biological one; students are more likely to encounter it in formal literature or legal contexts.
SynonymsAntonyms
“When these are activated, it can lead to issues like increased stomach acid secretion, flushing and headache.”
“This gene encodes an esterase enzyme equipped with both a secretion signal, which directs the enzyme out of the cell, and a membrane-bound lipid anchor.”
(1646) From French sécrétion, from Latin sēcrētiō, sēcrētiōnem.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.