n.
Pronunciation: ' ko ̇ r- ˌ teks
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural cor · ti · ces \ ' ko ̇ r-t ə - ˌ s ē z \ or cor · tex · es
Etymology: Latin cortic-, cortex bark ― more at CUIRASS
Date: 1677
1 a (1) : the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or cerebellum or a bone) especially : CEREBRAL CORTEX (2) : the proteinaceous usually pigmented layer of a hair below the cuticle b : the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)
2 : a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally
3 a : the typically parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant broadly : all tissues external to the xylem b : an outer or investing layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi