epidermis

American  

[ep-i-dur-mis] / ˌɛp ɪˈdɜr mɪs /

noun

1. Anatomy. the outer, nonvascular, nonsensitive layer of the skin, covering the true skin or corium.

2. Zoology. the outermost living layer of an animal, usually composed of one or more layers of cells.

3. Botany. a thin layer of cells forming the outer integument of seed plants and ferns.

---

epidermis British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈdɜːmɪs /

noun

1. Also called: cuticle.  the thin protective outer layer of the skin, composed of stratified epithelial tissue

2. the outer layer of cells of an invertebrate

3. the outer protective layer of cells of a plant, which may be thickened by a cuticle

---

epidermis Scientific  

/ ĕp′ĭ-dûr′mĭs /

1. The protective outer layer of the skin. In invertebrate animals, the epidermis is made up of a single layer of cells. In vertebrates, it is made up of many layers of cells and overlies the dermis. Hair and feathers grow from the epidermis.

2. The outer layer of cells of the stems, roots, and leaves of plants. In most plants, the epidermis is a single layer of cells set close together to protect the plant from water loss, invasion by fungi, and physical damage. The epidermis that is exposed to air is covered with a protective substance called cuticle.

3. See more at photosynthesis

---

epidermis Cultural  

1. The outside layers of the skin.

---

Other Word Forms

• epidermal
  adjective
• epidermic
  adjective
• epidermically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of epidermis

1620–30; < Late Latin: surface skin < Greek epidermís upper skin. See epi-, derma ¹

Compare meaning

How does epidermis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dermis vs. epidermis

Explanation

You might have heard an obnoxious classmate shout, "Your epidermis is showing!" Don't panic: epidermis is just a fancy word for skin. The word epidermis comes from the Greek roots epi meaning "upon" and derma, which means "skin," a pretty apt translation, since epidermis is the outer layer of cell on the surface of an organism, in short — "the skin." Our epidermis is our main protection from the dangers of the outside world. It's thinnest on the eyelids and thickest on the palms of our hands.

Example Sentences

Figure 5.6 Cells of the Epidermis The cells in the different layers of the epidermis originate from basal cells located in the stratum basale, yet the cells of each layer are distinctively different.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 5.5 Layers of the Epidermis The epidermis of thick skin has five layers: stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 5.4 Epidermis The epidermis is epithelium composed of multiple layers of cells.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The Epidermis or skin of leaves and all young shoots is best seen in the foliage.

From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa

Epidermis or Epithelial Grafting.—The method introduced by the late Professor Thiersch of Leipsic is that almost universally practised.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

Related Words

• bark
• coating
• crust
• fur
• husk
• jacket
• membrane
• rind
• sheath
• surface