suberin

[ soo-ber-in ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a waxlike, fatty substance, occurring in cork cell walls and in or between other cells, that on alkaline hydrolysis yields chiefly suberic acid.

suberin

/ ˈsjuːbərɪn /

noun

1. a fatty or waxy substance that is present in the walls of cork cells, making them impermeable to water and resistant to decay

suberin

/ so̅o̅′bər-ĭn /

1. A polyester composed of fatty acids and aromatic compounds that occurs naturally in the cell walls of cork tissue in plants. Suberin acts together with waxes to protect plant surfaces from water loss and microbial attack, and also helps to close tears and breaks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of suberin¹

1820–30; < Latin sūber cork + -in ²; compare French subérine

Word History and Origins

Origin of suberin¹

C19: from Latin sūber cork + -in