excretion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the biological process by which an organism removes metabolic waste or discharges a substance

   The kidneys regulate the excretion of excess salts and water.

2. 2
   noun

   a substance discharged from a body, organ, or organism

   The ants fed on the sweet excretion produced by the aphids.

Borrowed through French excretion from Late Latin excretio, from Latin excernere, 'to sift out, separate, or discharge,' formed from ex-, 'out,' + cernere, 'to separate or distinguish.' English specialized the noun for biological removal and for the material removed.

Topics

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