denoting a type of glandular secretion in which part of the secreting cell is lost with the secretion, as in mammary glands
Compare merocrine, holocrine
Word origin
C20: from apo- + -crine, from Greek krinein to separate
apocrine in American English
(ˈæpəˌkraɪn; ˈæpəkrɪn)
adjective
designating a type of glandular secretion in which part of the secreting cell is thrown off along with the secretion, as a type of sweat with a strong odor from large, deep glands in the armpit and anal areas