cortex
/ˈkɔɹtɛks/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: cortexes · cortices
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, such as the kidney or the brain.
Noun
Examples
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
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The tissue of a stem or root that lies inward from the epidermis, but exterior to the vascular tissue.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “cortex” mean?
The outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, such as the kidney or the brain.
Is “cortex” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.