Cuticula

The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
  • noun. In zoöl. and anat.:
  • noun. The cuticle proper; the epidermis; the ectoderm; the exoskeleton; the superficial investment of the body, in so far as this is formed by or derived from the epiblastic cells or epiblast of the embryo, whatever its ulterior modification.
  • noun. In infuserians, a comparatively dense envelop to which the outer wall of the body gives rise. Also cuticulum.
  • noun. In annelids, as the earthworm, a thin and transparent though tough membrane, forming the outermost envelop of the body, and perforated by extremely minute vertical canals.
  • the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
  • noun. the outer body wall of an insect.
  • Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
  • noun. A tough protective covering outside the epidermis of many invertebrates and plants; cuticle.
  • WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
  • noun. the outer body wall of an insect
  • Word Usage
    "This is known as the cuticula dentis, or Nasmyth’s membrane, and is believed to be the last-formed layer of enamel derived from the adamantoblasts, which has not become calcified."