Epidermal

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˌɛpɪˈdɝməl/

Definitions

1. Concerning the outermost layer of tissue that protects underlying structures in both plant and animal life
2. Pertaining to the cellular layer that serves as a protective covering in organisms, especially in relation to skin
3. Relating to the outermost layer of skin that acts as a barrier and provides protection in various organisms, including humans and plants

Etymology: "Epidermal" is simply the adjective form of "epidermis," so its history is really the history of its building blocks. The first is the Greek preposition "epi," meaning "upon" or "over," and the second is "derma," Greek for "skin." Put together, "epidermis" describes the thing that lies over the skin, and "-al" turns that noun into an adjective meaning "relating to" it. The word belongs to international scientific vocabulary, a body of terms built from classical Greek and Latin pieces so that researchers across languages could share one precise vocabulary. Its parts were assembled in New Latin, the scientific Latin used in early modern Europe, and the resulting terms were then adopted into English. Ancient Greek writers did not use "epidermis" or "epidermal" as technical terms; these are later coinages made from older roots.

Synonyms: cutaneous, skin