pellicle
Americannoun
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a thin skin or film
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the hard protective outer layer of certain protozoans, such as those of the genus Paramecium
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botany
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the thin outer layer of a mushroom cap
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a growth on the surface of a liquid culture
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photog the thin layer of emulsion covering a plate, film, or paper
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pellicle
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin pellicul(a), equivalent to pelli(s) “skin” + -cula noun suffix ( see -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.
The study is part of the Thematic Project "Modulation of acquired pellicle to control dental mineral loss: unveiling mechanisms to make therapies possible," coordinated by Professor Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf at FOB-USP.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 5, 2026
A similar pellicle formed on our acid whey mixture.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2023
Lovers of home-brewed kombucha may actually be familiar with the raw nanocellulose material — it forms as a floating off-white structure called a pellicle.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2023
Ciliates also are surrounded by a pellicle, providing protection without compromising agility.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Oct. 4th, aspect that of very severe sickness; profuse discharge from nostrils; fauces of a deep red color, and a diphtheritic pellicle over tonsils and uvula; tumefaction along the sides of the neck; temp.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
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.
