integument

in·teg·u·ment  (n-tgy-mnt)

n.

1. A natural outer covering or coat, such as the skin of an animal or the membrane enclosing an organ.

2. Botany The envelope of an ovule.

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[Latin integumentum, from integere, to cover : in-, on; see in-² + tegere, to cover; see (s)teg- in Indo-European roots.]

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in·tegu·menta·ry (-mnt-r, -mntr) adj.

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integument

Noun

any natural protective covering, such as a skin, rind, or shell [Latin integumentum]

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integument  (n-tgy-mnt)

A natural outer covering of an animal or plant or of one of its parts, such as skin, a shell, or the part of a plant ovule that develops into a seed coat.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

integument - an outer protective covering such as the skin of an animal or a cuticle or seed coat or rind or shell covering, natural covering, cover - a natural object that covers or envelops; "under a covering of dust"; "the fox was flushed from its cover"