epidermis

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.

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

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epi·dermal (-ml), epi·dermic adj.

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epidermis

Noun

the thin protective outer layer of the skin [Greek epi upon + derma skin]

epidermal adj

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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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

epidermis - the outer layer of the skin covering the exterior body surface of vertebrates cuticle 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)