The Collaborative International Dictionary
Secretory \Se*cre"to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. s['e]cr['e]toire. See Secrete.] (Physiol.) Secreting; performing, or connected with, the office of secretion; secernent; as, secretory vessels, nerves. -- n. A secretory vessel; a secernent.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1690s; see secrete + -ory.
Wiktionary
a. Of, pertaining to, or used in secretion.
WordNet
adj. of or relating to or producing a secretion; " a secretory cell"
Usage examples of "secretory".
Like all others of this type, its action is insensible, producing gradual changes, arousing the excretory glands to remove morbid materials, and at the same time toning the secretory organs.
The physical condition necessary for the healthy action of the secretory organs is a copious supply of blood, in which the nutritive materials are abundant.
Therefore, we would again remind the reader of the necessity of keeping the bowels regular, and removing all morbid taints of the blood and faults of the secretory organs by the persistent use of Dr.
A single gene mutation at this site produces a disease known as cystic fibrosis, which drastically alters the secretory function of the lungs and pancreas.