cortex
/ˈkɔɹtɛks/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.59 in modern English
15
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, such as the kidney or the brain.
Countable
Example Sentences
- "In the study, led by Ryota Kanai of the University College London, people who identified themselves as liberals generally had a larger anterior cingulate cortex — a comma-shaped region near the front of the brain that is involved in decision-making. By contrast, those who identified as conservatives had larger amygdalas — almond-shaped structures that are linked with emotional learning and the processing of fear."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- Proto-Indo-European *(s)kert- Proto-Indo-European *(s)kort-ek-sder. Latin cortexbor. English cortex Borrowed from Latin cortex (“cork, bark”).
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkɔɹtɛks/
- British English: /ˈkɔːtɛks/
Usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Medicine.