Cortex
/ˈkɔːrteks/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe outer layer of an organ, especially the brain.
Extra definitions
nounA plant's outer tissue.
nounThe tissue of a stem or root that lies inward from the epidermis, but exterior to the vascular tissue.
Sentence Examples
The cerebral cortex processes language.
The scan showed cortex activity.
The root cortex stores nutrients.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
None
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Latin cortex (“cork, bark”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
“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.”
— 2011 April 8, Amie Ninh, “Liberal vs. Conservative: Does the Difference Lie in the Brain?”, in TIME, archived from the original on 18 Jul 2025:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The cerebral ____ processes language.