American English Dictionary
Definition of “cuticle”
Word Frequency
cuticle (ˈkjutɪkəl
)
Definitions
noun
- the outer layer of the skin; epidermis
- hardened skin, such as accumulates at the base and sides of a fingernail
- (botany) a delicate, waxy layer over the outer surface of the epidermis of plants: it contains cutin and protects against water loss and parasitic infections
- (zoology) the nonliving, thick or thin, tough outer structure secreted by the epidermis in many invertebrate organisms, as insects, crustaceans, earthworms, etc.
Derived Forms
cuˈticular (kjʊˈtɪkjələr
) adjectiveWord Origin
L cuticula, skin, dim. < cutis, skin < IE base * (s)keu-t-, to cover > hide2Example Sentences Including 'cuticle'
She smashed the head back against the ground, driving the spear stock deeper through the cuticle.MINUTES TO BURN (2001)
Nothing turns us off faster than being touched and, suddenly, feeling a sharp, jagged nail or cuticle scraping across our skin.WHAT WOMEN WANT MEN TO KNOW (2002)
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