Cutinizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Develops or forms a waxy, water-resistant coating called cutin on plant tissue
2. Forms a protective outer layer of waxy cutin on the surface of leaves or stems
3. Acquires a waxy cutin layer that makes plant tissue resistant to water loss

Etymology: "Cutinizes" is the third-person singular form of "cutinize," so its history belongs to the verb itself. That verb is built from "cutin," a term for the waxy, water-resistant polymer that forms the protective outer layer, or cuticle, of plants. The word "cutin" comes from Latin "cutis," meaning skin, which also gave English "cuticle." The suffix "-ize" comes from Greek "-izein," used to form verbs meaning to make, treat, or cause something to become a certain way. Put together, "cutinize" means to coat or impregnate something with cutin, or to cause a plant tissue to develop a cuticle. The formation is a plain, technical coinage from scientific vocabulary, so its meaning stays close to the chemical substance it names.

Synonyms: hardens, toughens

Antonyms: softens