cuticle
Americannoun
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the nonliving epidermis that surrounds the edges of the fingernail or toenail.
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the epidermis.
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a superficial integument, membrane, or the like.
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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.
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Botany. a very thin hyaline film covering the surface of plants, derived from the outer surfaces of the epidermal cells.
noun
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dead skin, esp that round the base of a fingernail or toenail
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another name for epidermis
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any covering layer or membrane
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the protective layer, containing cutin, that covers the epidermis of higher plants
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the hard protective layer covering the epidermis of many invertebrates
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The noncellular, hardened or membranous protective covering of many invertebrates, such as the transparent membrane that covers annelids.
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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.
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The hard skin around the sides and base of a fingernail or toenail.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of cuticle
1605–15; < Latin cutīcula the skin, equivalent to cuti ( s ) skin, cutis + -cula -cle 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For a bonus, pair the polish with the All Natural Rose Cuticle Oil.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2017
Cuticle distinctly marked by longitudinal striations which take the form of depressions and give to the body a characteristic melon shape.
From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)
Why this object was here, will presently be seen; but why it was placed immediately at the foot of the amputation-table, only Surgeon Cuticle can tell.
From White Jacket or, the World on a Man-of-War by Melville, Herman
"Don't be alarmed for your comrade; men," said Cuticle, turning round.
From White Jacket or, the World on a Man-of-War by Melville, Herman
"Can anything save him but amputation?" demanded Cuticle.
From White Jacket or, the World on a Man-of-War by Melville, Herman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
