CUTICLE

noun see: hide Date: 1615 an outer covering layer: as, an external envelope (as of an insect) secreted usually by epidermal cells, the outermost layer of animal integument composed of epidermis, a thin continuous fatty or waxy film on the external surface of many higher plants that consists chiefly of cutin, the outermost membranous layer of a hair consisting of overlapping scales of epithelial cells, dead or horny epidermis, cuticular adjective