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cuticulae

 - 6 dictionary results

cu⋅tic⋅u⋅la

  [kyoo-tik-yuh-luh]
Use cuticulae in a Sentence
–noun, plural -lae  [-lee] .
Zoology. cuticle (def. 4).
Origin:
1615–25; < NL, L; see cuticle

cu⋅ti⋅cle

  [kyoo-ti-kuhl]
–noun
1. the nonliving epidermis that surrounds the edges of the fingernail or toenail.
2. the epidermis.
3. a superficial integument, membrane, or the like.
4. Also called cuticula. Zoology. the outer, noncellular layer of the arthropod integument, composed of a mixture of chitin and protein and commonly containing other hardening substances as well.
5. Botany. a very thin hyaline film covering the surface of plants, derived from the outer surfaces of the epidermal cells.
Origin:
1605–15; < L cutīcula the skin, equiv. to cuti(s) skin, cutis + -cula -cle 1

Related forms:
cu⋅tic⋅u⋅lar  [kyoo-tik-yuh-ler] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

cuticle 
1615, from L. cuticula, dim. of cutis "skin," from PIE *ku-ti-, from base *(s)keu- "to cover, conceal" (cf. Lith. kiautas "husk," O.E. hyd "skin, hide;" see hide (n.1)). Specialized sense of "skin at the base of the nail" is from 1907.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cu·ti·cle
Pronunciation: 'kyüt-i-k&l
Function: noun
1 : an outer covering layer: as a : theoutermost layer of integument composed of epidermis b : the outermost membranous layer of a hair consisting of cornified epithelial cells
2 : dead or hornyepidermis (as that surrounding the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail) —cu·tic·u·lar /kyu-'tik-y&-l&r/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

cuticle cu·ti·cle (ky&oomacr;'tĭ-kəl)
n.

  1. The strip of hardened skin at the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail.

  2. The outermost layer of the skin; epidermis.

  3. Dead or cornified epidermis.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
cuticle   (ky'tĭ-kəl)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. The noncellular, hardened or membranous protective covering of many invertebrates, such as the transparent membrane that covers annelids.

  2. A layer of wax and cutin that covers the outermost surfaces of a plant. The cuticle is secreted by the epidermis and helps prevent water loss and infection by parasites.

  3. The hard skin around the sides and base of a fingernail or toenail.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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