Keratinized

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A type of tissue characterized by its hardened nature due to a high concentration of a fibrous protein that offers defense and support
2. Pertaining to cells that have developed a tough, protective exterior as a result of the buildup of a specific protein found in skin and appendages
3. A description of biological structures that possess a resilient outer layer formed by a protein which aids in protection and durability against environmental factors

Etymology: The word is a past participle, so its history lies in its base, "keratinize," which combines "keratin" with the suffix "-ize." Keratin takes its name from the Ancient Greek "kéras," meaning "horn," and the German chemist who coined the term built it on that root with the Latin-derived ending "-in," the standard suffix for protein and chemical names. The result is a word that literally means "horn-stuff," a label fitting for a substance found in horn, hair, nails and feathers. The verb ending "-ize" has a long journey of its own. It descends from the Ancient Greek suffix "-ízein," which passed through Late Latin "-izāre," then Old French "-iser," and into Middle English as "-isen." Over centuries English turned it into a productive tool for making verbs from nouns and adjectives, so "keratinize" means, in plain terms, to turn tissue into keratin or to harden it with keratin.

Synonyms: hardened, toughened, cornified