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epidermis

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
ep·i·der·mis  (p-dûrms)
n.
1. The outer, protective, nonvascular layer of the skin of vertebrates, covering the dermis.
2. An integument or outer layer of various invertebrates.
3. The outermost layer of cells covering the leaves and young parts of a plant.

[Late Latin, from Greek : epi-, epi- + derma, skin; see der- in Indo-European roots.]

epi·dermal (-ml), epi·dermic adj.

epidermis [ˌɛpɪˈdɜːmɪs]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Also called cuticle the thin protective outer layer of the skin, composed of stratified epithelial tissue
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) the outer layer of cells of an invertebrate
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) the outer protective layer of cells of a plant, which may be thickened by a cuticle
[via Late Latin from Greek, from epi- + derma skin]
epidermal , epidermic, epidermoid adj

epidermis  (p-dûrms)
1. The protective outer layer of the skin. In invertebrate animals, the epidermis is made up of a single layer of cells. In vertebrates, it is made up of many layers of cells and overlies the dermis. Hair and feathers grow from the epidermis.
2. The outer layer of cells of the stems, roots, and leaves of plants. In most plants, the epidermis is a single layer of cells set close together to protect the plant from water loss, invasion by fungi, and physical damage. The epidermis that is exposed to air is covered with a protective substance called cuticle. See more at photosynthesis.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.epidermisepidermis - the outer layer of the skin covering the exterior body surface of vertebrates
cutis, skin, tegument - a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch; "your skin is the largest organ of your body"
epidermal cell - any of the cells making up the epidermis
corneum, horny layer, stratum corneum - the outermost layer of the epidermis consisting of dead cells that slough off
stratum lucidum - the layer of epidermis immediately under the stratum corneum in the skin of the palms and soles
stratum granulosum - the layer of epidermis just under the stratum corneum or (on the palms and soles) just under the stratum lucidum; contains cells (with visible granules) that die and move to the surface
malpighian layer, rete Malpighii, stratum basale, stratum germinativum - the innermost layer of the epidermis
pallium, mantle - (zoology) a protective layer of epidermis in mollusks or brachiopods that secretes a substance forming the shell
stratum - one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)
Translations
epidermis [ˌepɪˈdɜːmɪs] Nepidermis f
epidermis [ˌɛpɪˈdɜːrmɪs] népiderme m
epidermis
nEpidermis f, → Oberhaut f
epidermis [ɛpɪˈdɜːmɪs] n (Anat, Bot, Zool) → epidermide f
epidermis [ɛpɪˈdɜːmɪs] n (Anat, Bot, Zool) → epidermide f


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Just the same as though you prayed that a physician might only be called upon to prescribe for headaches, measles, and the stings of wasps, or any other slight affection of the epidermis.
Gliddon was of opinion, from the redness of the epidermis, that the embalmment had been effected altogether by asphaltum; but, on scraping the surface with a steel instrument, and throwing into the fire some of the powder thus obtained, the flavor of camphor and other sweet-scented gums became apparent.
Our outside and often thin and fanciful clothes are our epidermis, or false skin, which partakes not of our life, and may be stripped off here and there without fatal injury; our thicker garments, constantly worn, are our cellular integument, or cortex; but our shirts are our liber, or true bark, which cannot be removed without girdling and so destroying the man.
 
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