cuticle

[ kyoo-ti-kuhl ]

noun

1. the nonliving epidermis that surrounds the edges of the fingernail or toenail.
2. the epidermis.
3. a superficial integument, membrane, or the like.
4. 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.
5. Botany. a very thin hyaline film covering the surface of plants, derived from the outer surfaces of the epidermal cells.

cuticle

/ kjuːˈtɪkjʊlə; ˈkjuːtɪkəl /

noun

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

cuticle

/ kyo̅o̅′tĭ-kəl /

1. The noncellular, hardened or membranous protective covering of many invertebrates, such as the transparent membrane that covers annelids.
2. 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.
3. The hard skin around the sides and base of a fingernail or toenail.

Derived Forms

• cuticular, adjective

Other Words From

• cu·tic·u·lar [kyoo-, tik, -y, uh, -ler], adjective
• subcu·ticu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuticle¹

1605–15; < Latin cutīcula the skin, equivalent to cuti ( s ) skin, cutis + -cula -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuticle¹

C17: from Latin cutīcula diminutive of cutis skin

Example Sentences

The Outset Botanical Barrier Rescue Balm started out as a lip balm but I was using it on my cuticles and flyaways, so we made it enormous.

From New York Times

In insects, specific genes became specialised in muscles and in the epidermis for cuticle formation, contributing to their ability to fly.

From Science Daily

It felt like dusk by 3:20 in the afternoon, and people cheered when just a cuticle of sun remained.

From New York Times

In addition to shelly components, it contains extremely rare soft elements such as digestive systems and cuticles, in a remarkable state of preservation.

From Science Daily

The immature leaves are much more susceptible to herbicide since they lack the waxy cuticle of older leaves.

From Seattle Times