Word
cortex
Phoneticscor·tex
US/ˈkɔɹtɛks/
UK/kˈɔːtɛks/
Definitions
01anatomy
n. the outer layer of an organ in the body, especially the brain or the kidneys.
n. the outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, such as the kidney or the brain. Often used specifically to refer to the cerebral cortex.
“The doctor explained that the outer part of the brain is called the cerebral cortex.”
“Damage to the prefrontal cortex can significantly alter a person's ability to make complex decisions or regulate social behaviour.”
Technical
Usage
The plural form is 'cortices'.
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02botany
n. the layer of a plant's stem or root that is just under the skin.
n. the tissue of a stem or root that lies inward from the epidermis but exterior to the vascular tissue.
“In some plants, the cortex stores food like starch.”
“The researchers examined the root cortex under a microscope to see how the plant absorbed water from the soil.”
Technical
Usage
Usually uncountable in a general sense, but countable when referring to specific layers.
Synonyms
03archaeology
n. the rough outer surface of a stone, like flint, before it is shaped into a tool.
n. the outer surface or 'skin' of a piece of flint or other stone, often removed during the process of making stone tools.
“The ancient tool still had some of the white cortex on its handle.”
“By analysing the remaining cortex on the flint flakes, the archaeologists determined that the raw material had been transported from a distant riverbed.”
Technical
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Researchers found that the frontoparietal cortex constantly shifts how it communicates with other brain regions depending on what information is needed to make a decision.” “The researchers concentrated on the visual cortex and proposed four major functions for neural traveling waves.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin cortex (“cork, bark”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/cortex