decorticate

[ dee-kawr-ti-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·cor·ti·cat·ed, de·cor·ti·cat·ing.

1. to remove the bark, husk, or outer covering from.
2. Surgery. to remove the cortex from (an organ or structure).

decorticate

/ diːˈkɔːtɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. tr to remove the bark or some other outer layer from
2. surgery to remove the cortex of (an organ or part)

Derived Forms

• deˌcortiˈcation, noun
• deˈcortiˌcator, noun

Other Words From

• de·corti·cator noun
• unde·corti·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorticate¹

1605–15; < Latin dēcorticātus (past participle of dēcorticāre to peel), equivalent to dē- de- + corticātus having bark, shell; corticate

Word History and Origins

Origin of decorticate¹

C17: from Latin dēcorticāre, from de- + -corticāre, from cortex bark