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cuticular

 - 5 dictionary results

cu⋅ti⋅cle

  [kyoo-ti-kuhl]
Use cuticular in a Sentence
–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.
Cite This Source Link To cuticular
cu·ti·cle   (kyōō'tĭ-kəl)   
n.  

  1. The outermost layer of the skin of vertebrates; epidermis.

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

  3. Dead or cornified epidermis.

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

  5. Botany The layer of cutin covering the epidermis of the aerial parts of plants.


[Latin cutīcula, diminutive of cutis, skin; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots.]
cu·tic'u·lar (-tĭk'yə-lər) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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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