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Excretions: meaning, definitions and examples

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excretions

 

[ ɪkˈskrɪʃənz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

biological process

Excretions refer to the waste products that are discharged from the body of an organism. This includes substances like urine, feces, and sweat, which are expelled to maintain homeostasis and remove harmful substances from the body.

Synonyms

discharge, elimination, waste.

Examples of usage

  • The body's excretions help regulate water balance.
  • Kidneys play a key role in the excretion of waste.
  • Animals have various methods of excretion based on their physiology.

Etymology

The word 'excretion' comes from the Latin term 'excretio', which means 'a separating or discharging'. This Latin term is derived from the verb 'excerere', meaning 'to separate' or 'to throw out'. In the early 17th century, the term began to be used in the context of biology and medicine to refer to the process by which organisms remove waste materials from their bodies. Over time, 'excretion' has become an important concept in various scientific fields, especially in physiology and ecology, as it relates to how living organisms maintain their internal balance and the impact of waste on the environment.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,443, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.