noun
cuticle
KYOO-tih-kul/ˈkjuːtɪkl/
A thin protective outer layer on a living organism.
The cuticle is a thin layer of skin at the nail's base.
Etymology
The pieces mean 'little skin.' Cuticle first named the outer layer of skin generally, then narrowed to the small strip of skin at the base of a nail.
In context
the cuticle is nonliving it's dead skin
More examples
- The leaf's waxy cuticle helps prevent water loss.
- An insect's cuticle protects its body.
- She gently moisturizes the dry cuticles around her nails.
Forms
cuticle · cuticles
cuticular adjective — Relating to a protective outer layer.