Adjacent Words

cortex definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the layer of unmyelinated neurons (the grey matter) forming the cortex of the cerebrum [syn: cerebral cortex, cerebral mantle, pallium, cortex]
2: the tissue forming the outer layer of an organ or structure in plant or animal [ant: medulla]
3: the tissue that surrounds the lens nucleus [syn: lens cortex, cortex]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural cortices or cortexes) 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

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. cortices) 1 Anat. the outer part of an organ, esp. of the brain (cerebral cortex) or kidneys (renal cortex). 2 Bot. a an outer layer of tissue immediately below the epidermis. b bark. Derivatives: cortical adj. Etymology: L cortex, -icis bark

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Cortex Cor"tex (k?r"t?ks), n.; pl. Cortices (-t?-s?z). [L., bark. Cf. Cork.] 1. Bark, as of a tree; hence, an outer covering. 2. (Med.) Bark; rind; specifically, cinchona bark. 3. (Anat.) The outer or superficial part of an organ; as, the cortex or gray exterior substance of the brain.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(cortices) The cortex of the brain or of another organ is its outer layer. (MEDICAL) ...the cerebral cortex. N-COUNT: usu sing, oft the N

Moby Thesaurus

armature, armor, armor plate, bark, body armor, border, buckler, bulletproof vest, chain armor, chain mail, chitin, circumference, coat of mail, cork, covering, crust, elytron, envelope, epicarp, epidermis, episperm, exterior, external, facade, face, facet, fringe, front, habergeon, harness, hauberk, integument, lineaments, lorica, lorication, mail, needles, outer face, outer layer, outer side, outer skin, outline, outside, panoply, peel, peeling, pericarp, periphery, phellum, plate, plate armor, protective covering, rind, scute, scutum, shell, shield, skin, spines, suit of armor, superficies, superstratum, surface, test, testa, thick skin, top