cuticle

The definition of cuticle is the outer layer of skin, especially around the base and sides of fingernails.

(noun)

An example of a cuticle is the hardened skin that gets pushed back during a manicure.

See cuticle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the outer layer of the skin; epidermis
hardened skin, such as accumulates at the base and sides of a fingernail
Bot. a delicate, waxy layer over the outer surface of the epidermis of plants: it contains cutin and protects against water loss and parasitic infections
Zool. the nonliving, thick or thin, tough outer structure secreted by the epidermis in many invertebrate organisms, as insects, crustaceans, earthworms, etc.

Origin: L cuticula, skin, dim. < cutis, skin < IE base *(s)keu-t-, to cover > hide

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See cuticle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cu·ti·cle

noun

The outermost layer of the skin of vertebrates; epidermis.
The strip of hardened skin at the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail.
Dead or cornified epidermis.
Zoology The noncellular, hardened or membranous protective covering of many invertebrates, such as the transparent membrane that covers annelids.
Botany The layer of cutin covering the epidermis of the aerial parts of plants.

Origin: Latin cutīcula, diminutive of cutis, skin; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots.

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