Cuticle
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The outermost layer of the skin of vertebrates; the epidermis. The strip of hardened skin at the base and sides of a fingernail or toenail. Dead or cornified epidermis. The outer protective covering of invertebrates and plants.
Epidermis
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The outer, protective layer of the skin of vertebrates, covering the dermisThe similar outer layer of cells in invertebrates and plants