/ ˈkɔːteks; NAmE ˈkɔːrt-/ noun
( pl. cor·ti·ces / ˈkɔːtɪsiːz; NAmE ˈkɔːrt-/) ( anatomy ) the outer layer of an organ in the body, especially the brain :
the cerebral / renal cortex (= around the brain / kidney )
► cor·tic·al / ˈkɔːtɪkl; NAmE ˈkɔːrt-/ adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin , literally bark .