[cu.ti.cle] n [L cuticula, dim. of cutis skin--more at hide] (1615) 1: skin, pellicle: as a: an external investment (as of an insect) secreted usu. by epidermal cells b: the outermost layer of animal integument (as in humans) when composed of epidermis c: a thin continuous fatty or waxy film on the external surface of many higher plants that consists chiefly of cutin
2: dead or horny epidermis -- cu.tic.u.lar adj