tunic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an enveloping or covering membrane or layer of body tissue
    tunica; adventitia.
  2. noun any of a variety of loose fitting cloaks extending to the hips or knees

WordNet

Tu"nic noun
Etymology
L. tunica: cf. F.tunique.
Definitions
  1. (Rom. Antiq.) An under-garment worn by the ancient Romans of both sexes. It was made with or without sleeves, reached to or below the knees, and was confined at the waist by a girdle.
  2. Any similar garment worm by ancient or Oriental peoples; also, a common name for various styles of loose-fitting under-garments and over-garments worn in modern times by Europeans and others.
  3. (R. C. Ch.) Same as Tunicle.
  4. (Anat.) A membrane, or layer of tissue, especially when enveloping an organ or part, as the eye.
  5. (Bot.) A natural covering; an integument; as, the tunic of a seed.
  6. (Zoöl.) See Mantle, n., 3 (a).

Webster 1913