integumentary

American  

[in-teg-yuh-men-tuh-ree] / ɪnˌtɛg yəˈmɛn tə ri /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or like an integument.

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Usage

What does integumentary mean? Integumentary is an adjective used to refer to a covering or coating, especially natural coatings like skin, shells, and rinds. An integument is any coating or covering, but the term is primarily used for the outer layer of natural things like animals and plants. Integumentary is especially used in the term integumentary system to refer to the system of the human body that includes the skin and related things like hair and nails. Example: The integumentary layers of animals and plants are very different, but they often serve similar purposes.

Other Word Forms

• subintegumentary adjective

Etymology

Origin of integumentary

First recorded in 1835–45; integument + -ary

Example Sentences

The integumentary system encloses internal body structures and is the site of many sensory receptors.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The integumentary system includes the hair, skin, and nails.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

This chapter will introduce the structure and functions of the integumentary system, as well as some of the diseases, disorders, and injuries that can affect this system.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Integration of morphological data sets for phylogenetic analysis of Amniota: the importance of integumentary characters and increased taxonomic sampling.

From Scientific American • Jul. 4, 2012

Lias. no traces of scales or bony integumentary plates have ever been discovered.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne