The Spanish verb 'secretar' (to secrete) comes from Latin 'secretum' meaning 'separated', which itself derives from the Latin verb 'secernere'. The Latin 'secernere' was formed by combining the prefix 'se-' meaning 'apart' with the verb 'cernere' meaning 'to separate or distinguish'. The Spanish verb was created by adding the verbal suffix '-ar' to the Latin base. The evolution of meaning from 'to separate' to 'to secrete' makes sense when you consider that secretion involves separating or releasing substances from the body or cells.

This word is related to several common Spanish words including 'secreto' (secret) and 'secretario/a' (secretary). These words share the same Latin root 'secretum'. A 'secret' is something set apart or separated from general knowledge, while a 'secretary' was historically someone who was trusted with private or separate matters.

English speakers can easily connect 'secretar' to several familiar English words like 'secrete', 'secret', 'secretary', and 'secretion'. All these words trace back to the same Latin root 'secretum'. The English word 'secrete' has essentially the same meaning as Spanish 'secretar', while 'secret' maintains the original sense of something separated or set apart from others' knowledge. 'Discern' is another related English word, coming from the Latin 'cernere' part of our word's ancestry.