the thin outer layer of the external covering of the animal body that is derived from ectoderm; specif the outer insensitive layer of the skin of a vertebrate animal that covers the dermis
a thin protective surface layer of cells in higher plants
epidermal adj
epidermic /-mik/ adj
epidermoid /-moyd/ adj
[via Latin from Greek epidermis, from epi- + dermat-, derma skin, from derein to skin]