epidermis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the outer layer of the skin covering the exterior body surface of vertebrates
    cuticle.

WordNet


Ep`i*der"mis noun
Etymology
L., fr. Gr. over + skin, fr. to skin. See Tear, v. t.
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) The outer, nonsensitive layer of the skin; cuticle; scarfskin. See Dermis.
  2. (Bot.) The outermost layer of the cells, which covers both surfaces of leaves, and also the surface of stems, when they are first formed. As stems grow old this layer is lost, and never replaced.

Webster 1913