2 syllables: Ec, crine. Stress on Ec.
EK-kreyen
/ˈɛk.kɹaɪn/
Eccrine is pronounced EK-kreyen (/ˈɛk.kɹaɪn/). It has two syllables (Ec-crine), with the stress on "Ec". Eccrine is a biological term describing sweat glands that release sweat directly onto the surface of the skin. In anatomy and physiology contexts it contrasts with apocrine glands, which release sweat with different characteristics. The word is used in medical literature and teaching to specify a type of gland involved in thermoregulation and homeostasis.
adjectiveEccrine is a biological term describing sweat glands that release sweat directly onto the surface of the skin. In anatomy and physiology contexts it contrasts with apocrine glands, which release sweat with different characteristics. The word is used in medical literature and teaching to specify a type of gland involved in thermoregulation and homeostasis.
"The eccrine glands are distributed across almost the entire skin surface."
"In most humans, eccrine sweating helps regulate body temperature."
"Researchers studied the eccrine ducts to understand sweating patterns."
You say /ˈɛ.kɹɪn/ (US/UK). The stress is on the first syllable: ECC-rine. Pronounce the r lightly, with a mid-central vowel in the second syllable. Audio reference: you can compare with medical pronunciation lexicons or dictionaries that provide the /ˈɛ.kɹɪn/ form. Focus on the /ˈɛ/ as in 'bet,' then /kɹ/ as a hard k plus an approximant r, ending with /ɪn/ like in 'pin' but shorter, then a light n. You’ll hear the first syllable emphasized clearly in scientific contexts.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (e.g., /ˈiː.kɹɪn/ or /ˈɛ.kərn/), elongating the second syllable, or pronouncing the /ɹ/ as an alveolar trill. Another frequent mistake is turning /kr/ into /kər/ or dropping the final /n/. To correct: keep the primary stress on /ˈɛ/; keep /kr/ as a tightly blended cluster without inserting extra vowels; finish with a short /n/ only. Practice the sequence /ˈɛ.kɹɪn/ with slow, precise articulation, then speed up.
US and UK share /ˈɛ.kɹɪn/; in some UK fast speech, the /ɹ/ can be less pronounced, sounding closer to /ˈɛk.rɪn/ with a darker vowel. Australian speakers typically maintain the same syllable structure but may have a slightly more centralized vowel in /ɪ/ and a softer /ɹ/ due to rhoticity differences; however, pronunciation remains /ˈɛ.kɹɪn/. The key is maintaining the first-syllable stress and the /kr/ cluster.
The difficulty comes from the consonant cluster /kr/ immediately after a stressed vowel and the lightly rolled or approximant /ɹ/ in many dialects. Learners often place extra vowel length, insert an extra vowel between /k/ and /ɹ/, or misplace stress. Focusing on a crisp /k/ followed directly by /ɹ/ and a short /ɪn/ helps. Use tongue tip to contact alveolar ridge for /t/ or /d/? Not applicable here; keep the /ɹ/ approximant with light tongue curling and avoid a trill.
The word contains a consonant cluster /kr/ after a stressed vowel where many learners insert a schwa before /ɹ/. The unique inquiry often centers on whether the /ɹ/ is rhotic in their accent. In general, you should deliver a tight, non- aspirated /k/ into a smooth /ɹ/ with a short, clipped /ɪn/. The unique challenge is balancing the tight /kr/ with a non-rolling /ɹ/ while maintaining the first-syllable stress.
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Eccrine comes from the Latin eccrinus, which in turn stems from ec- (out of) + crinis (hair) historically referring to glands near the surface of the skin associated with sweat production. The term entered English medical vocabulary in the 19th century as anatomy and physiology formalized gland classifications. It is often contrasted with apocrine glands, another type of sweat gland named from apocrine (apo- ‘away’ + krine ‘to secrete’). Over time, eccrine has specialized usage in dermatology and physiology to differentiate sweat secretion mechanisms from apocrine, which is associated with hair follicles and pheromonal components. First known use appears in late 1800s medical texts, with broader adoption as human physiology matured as a field, enabling precise description of gland types and their secretory pathways.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Eccrine" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Eccrine" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Eccrine"
-ine sounds
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