excretory, a. and n. Phys.
(ɛkˈskriːtərɪ, ˈɛkskriːtərɪ)
[f. L. excrēt- (see excrete v.) + -ory. Cf. Fr. excrétoire.]
A. adj.
1. Having the function of excreting; pertaining to or connected with the process of excretion. excretory duct, excretory vessel, etc.: one which either in an animal or plant conveys the excretion to the surface, as the lachrymal duct, or into a prepared cavity, as the bile duct.
| 1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks. Voc. 1684 Boyle Porousn. Anim. & Solid Bod. iii. 11 The Orifices of small excretory vessels. 1708 J. Keill Anim. Secretion 131 The Water passes off through the Pores or Excretory Ducts of the Plant. 1839–47 Todd Cycl. Anat. III. 315/1 The excretory outlet. 1854 Woodward Mollusca ii. 167 Respiratory and excretory orifices. 1883 Fortn. Rev. Feb. 197 The excretory function was admirably active. |
2. Of the nature of excreta.
| 1878 Bell Gegenbauer's Comp. Anat. 46 Gaseous excretory matters are eliminated from the organism for the respiratory organs. |
B. n. An excretory vessel or duct.
| 1715 Cheyne Philos. Princ. Relig. i. 134 The other Excretories of the Body. 1741 Monro Anat. (ed. 3) 57 One can squeeze out of their Excretories a mucilaginous Liquor. 1805 W. Saunders Min. Waters 5 The morbid saline parts [are] carried off by the excretories. |