epidermis

[ep-i-dur-mis] /ˌɛp ɪˈdɜr mɪs/
noun
1.
Anatomy. the outer, nonvascular, nonsensitive layer of the skin, covering the true skin or corium.
2.
Zoology. the outermost living layer of an animal, usually composed of one or more layers of cells.
3.
Botany. a thin layer of cells forming the outer integument of seed plants and ferns.
Origin
1620-30; < Late Latin: surface skin < Greek epidermís upper skin. See epi-, derma
Related forms
epidermal, epidermic, adjective
epidermically, adverb
Examples from the web for epidermis
  • The outermost layer of the skin is called the epidermis.
  • In home use, however, the electronic epidermis would probably remain stable for years.
  • That's when he discovers that his body has been marked by a tattoo, which begins to spread all over his evil epidermis.
  • Corals can also catch food on their mucous coating and absorb nutrients directly through their epidermis.
  • Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis.
  • At first, melanoma cells are found in the epidermis and top layers of the dermis.
  • Now you can slather the doctor's lab results all over your epidermis.
  • Invasive cancers have spread from the epidermis into the dermis below.
  • Anyone tired of his or her epidermis will appreciate the additional pumice stone and rough exfoliation glove.
  • Green food dye sinks into the top three or four layers of the epidermis.
British Dictionary definitions for epidermis

epidermis

/ˌɛpɪˈdɜːmɪs/
noun
1.
Also called cuticle. the thin protective outer layer of the skin, composed of stratified epithelial tissue
2.
the outer layer of cells of an invertebrate
3.
the outer protective layer of cells of a plant, which may be thickened by a cuticle
Derived Forms
epidermal, epidermic, epidermoid, adjective
Word Origin
C17: via Late Latin from Greek, from epi- + derma skin
Word Origin and History for epidermis
n.

1620s, from Greek epidermis, from epi "on" (see epi-) + derma "skin" (see derma). Related: Epidermal; epidermic.

epidermis in Medicine

epidermis ep·i·der·mis (ěp'ĭ-dûr'mĭs)
n.
The nonvascular outer protective layer of the skin, covering the dermis.

ep'i·der'mal (-məl) or ep'i·der'mic adj.
epidermis in Science
epidermis
  (ěp'ĭ-dûr'mĭs)   

  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.


epidermis in Culture
epidermis [(ep-uh-dur-mis)]

The outside layers of the skin.

Encyclopedia Article for epidermis

in zoology, protective outermost portion of the skin. There are two layers of epidermis, the living basal layer, which is next to the dermis, and the external stratum corneum, or horny layer, which is composed of dead, keratin-filled cells that have migrated outward from the basal layer. The melanocytes, responsible for skin colour, are found in the basal cells. The epidermis has no blood supply and depends on diffusion from the dermal cells for its metabolic needs. The dead-cell layer of the stratum corneum provides the protection from water loss that allows vertebrates to dwell on land. Keratin, produced in migrating epidermal cells, forms the basis of nails, feathers, beaks, and other epidermal derivatives. In humans, epidermal fragments are constantly shed, but the "skin," or stratum corneum, of a snake is ordinarily shed all at once in a period of ecdysis.

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