First Known Use: 1626
Dictionary
epidermis
noun epi·der·mis \ˌe-pə-ˈdər-məs\
medical : the outer layer of skin
Full Definition of EPIDERMIS
1
a : the outer epithelial layer of the external integument of the animal body that is derived from the embryonic epiblast; specifically : the outer nonsensitive and nonvascular layer of the skin of a vertebrate that overlies the dermis b : any of various animal integuments
2
: a thin surface layer of tissue in higher plants formed by growth of a primary meristem
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Origin of EPIDERMIS
Late Latin, from Greek, from epi- + derma skin — more at derm-
Rhymes with EPIDERMIS
EPIDERMIS Defined for Kids
epidermis
noun epi·der·mis \ˌe-pə-ˈdər-məs\
Definition of EPIDERMIS for Kids
1
: a thin outer layer of skin covering the dermis
2
: any of various thin outer layers of plants or animals
Medical Dictionary
epidermis
noun epi·der·mis \-ˈdər-məs\
Medical Definition of EPIDERMIS
1
: the outer epithelial layer of the external integument of the animal body that is derived from the embryonic epiblast; specifically : the outer nonsensitive and nonvascular layer of the skin of a vertebrate that overlies the dermis
2
: any of various animal integuments
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