[cor.tex] n, pl cor.ti.ces or cor.tex.es [L cortic-, cortex bark--more at cuirass] (1677) 1 a: the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or a hair); esp: the outer layer of gray matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum 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