cuticle

[ kyoo-ti-kuh l ]
/ ˈkyu tɪ kəl /

noun

the nonliving epidermis that surrounds the edges of the fingernail or toenail.
the epidermis.
a superficial integument, membrane, or the like.
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.
Botany. a very thin hyaline film covering the surface of plants, derived from the outer surfaces of the epidermal cells.

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Origin of cuticle

1605–15; < Latin cutīcula the skin, equivalent to cuti(s) skin, cutis + -cula -cle1

OTHER WORDS FROM cuticle

cu·tic·u·lar [kyoo-tik-yuh-ler] /kyuˈtɪk yə lər/, adjectivesub·cu·tic·u·lar, adjective

Words nearby cuticle

cutesy, cutesy pie, cutesy-poo, cutey, cuthbert, cuticle, cuticolor, cuticula, cutie, cutie pie, cutin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for subcuticular

British Dictionary definitions for subcuticular

cuticle
/ (ˈkjuːtɪkəl) /

noun

dead skin, esp that round the base of a fingernail or toenail
another name for epidermis
any covering layer or membrane
the protective layer, containing cutin, that covers the epidermis of higher plants
the hard protective layer covering the epidermis of many invertebrates

Derived forms of cuticle

cuticular (kjuːˈtɪkjʊlə), adjective

Word Origin for cuticle

C17: from Latin cutīcula diminutive of cutis skin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for subcuticular (1 of 2)

subcuticular
[ sŭb′kyōō-tĭk′yə-lər ]

adj.

Located or occurring beneath the cuticle or epidermis.

Medical definitions for subcuticular (2 of 2)

cuticle
[ kyōō′tĭ-kəl ]

n.

The strip of hardened skin at the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail.
The outermost layer of the skin; epidermis.
Dead or cornified epidermis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for subcuticular

cuticle
[ kyōō′tĭ-kəl ]

The noncellular, hardened or membranous protective covering of many invertebrates, such as the transparent membrane that covers annelids.
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.
The hard skin around the sides and base of a fingernail or toenail.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.