cuticle

cuticle Definition

cuti·cle (kyo̵̅o̅t′i kəl)

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.

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

Related Forms:

cuticle Synonyms

cuticle Usage Examples

Converse of object

push: Massage into the palm of dry hands or sweep over feet, push back cuticles, rinse under water for instant spa luxury.
have: Plants living in dry conditions have a thicker cuticle.
penetrate: This Formaldehyde free formula penetrates thick, dry cuticles leaving them soft and transparent.
smooth: The ions smooth the cuticle of each hair to leave the whole head looking and feeling soft, smooth and shiny.

Adjective modifier

waxy: Understand that the waxy cuticle reduces water loss from leaves.
thick: Plants living in dry conditions have a thicker cuticle.
dry: A: " For dry, rough cuticles, apply Extra Gentle Cuticle Remover, preferably every day.
tough: The combination of all these factors is very demanding on our hands and leads to dry, cracked skin and tough white cuticles.
hard: There is a central medulla, which contains the colored melanin, and a hard external cuticle.
ragged: And I'm so bored I'm eating my own ragged cuticles.

Modifies a noun

layer: The moisture is then not able to find its way underneath the cuticle layer.
remover: Next, you need to use your cuticle remover to remove your cuticle, or actually push it down.
treatment: Hand or foot massage, back, neck and shoulder massage or a quick cuticle treatment and nail file.
cream: More about Bliss Manicure's Best Friend: what: An intensive cuticle cream formula for the treatment of dry, ragged cuticles.
oil: Our sublime Natural Nails cuticle oil, with Sweet Almond oil and Lime essential oil perfect for helping to strengthen the nails.
work: Mini - Pedicure - 30 mins A conditioning foot treatment, including foot massage, cuticle work, cutting and shaping of the nails.

Noun used with modifier

insect: Insect sense organs Funded by EU FP5, we have used finite element modeling to understand the design of sensors in insect cuticle.
hair: Cleansing extracts of Lemon, Eucalyptus and Tea Tree help to detangle and smooth the hair cuticle.
plant: Please refer to the abstracts supplied with the list of publications for details of our own work on plant cuticles.
cap: The cap cuticle disarticulated strongly and was of type B2.

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