cu·ti·cle
noun \ˈkyüt-i-kəl\
1: an outer covering layer: as
a: an external envelope (as of an insect) secreted usually by epidermal cells
b: the outermost layer of animal integument composed of epidermis
c: a thin continuous fatty or waxy film on the external surface of many higher plants that consists chiefly of cutin
d: the outermost membranous layer of a hair consisting of overlapping scales of epithelial cells
2: dead or horny epidermis
What a phenomenal waste of a good word. It should have been used to define babies or puppies or small rats. I should make my own dictionary.