How Do You Spell CORNIFY?

Pronunciation: [kˈɔːnɪfˌa͡ɪ] (IPA)

Cornify is a verb that means to convert cells into horn-like structures. The pronunciation of cornify is kawr-nuh-fahy, where /k/ is pronounced as in "cat," /aw/ as in "caught," /r/ as in "run," /n/ as in "nice," /uh/ as in "up," and /f/ as in "fine." The suffix "-ify" means to make or become, while "corn" refers to the hard outer layer of an animal's hoof, which gives the horn-like quality to the word. Cornify is most commonly used in medical and scientific contexts.

CORNIFY Meaning and Definition

  1. Cornify is a verb that refers to the process of transforming cells into cornified cells. It is a biological term used in the field of dermatology and histology. When cells cornify, they undergo a specialized process known as cornification or keratinization, during which they become hardened and develop a tough, protective outer layer.

    Cornification primarily occurs in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and in other surface tissues of the body, such as the nails and hair. This process involves the synthesis and accumulation of a protein called keratin, which is responsible for the structural integrity and water-repellent properties of cornified cells.

    The cornification process begins with the differentiation of basal cells into specialized cells called keratinocytes. These keratinocytes migrate towards the skin's surface and undergo a series of biochemical and structural changes, including the production of keratin filaments, loss of cellular contents, and flattening. Ultimately, the cells become fully cornified and form a resilient barrier that protects the underlying tissue from various external factors such as mechanical stress, pathogens, and dehydration.

    The term "cornify" can also be used metaphorically or figuratively to describe the process of hardening, toughening, or becoming callous or insensitive, in a non-biological sense. This metaphorical usage refers to the idea of forming a protective outer layer in response to challenging or adverse circumstances.

Etymology of CORNIFY

The word "cornify" is derived from the noun "cornu", which means "horn" in Latin. The addition of the suffix "-ify" transforms it into a verb, meaning "to become like a horn" or "to form a horn-like structure". In the context of biology and medicine, "cornify" refers to the process of forming a tough, keratinized layer on the skin, similar to the texture and appearance of a horn.

Conjugate verb Cornify

CONDITIONAL

I would cornify
you would cornify
he/she/it would cornify
we would cornify
they would cornify

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be cornifying
you would be cornifying
he/she/it would be cornifying
we would be cornifying
they would be cornifying

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have cornify
you would have cornify
he/she/it would have cornify
we would have cornify
they would have cornify

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been cornifying
you would have been cornifying
he/she/it would have been cornifying
we would have been cornifying
they would have been cornifying

FUTURE

I will cornify
you will cornify
he/she/it will cornify
we will cornify
they will cornify

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be cornifying
you will be cornifying
he/she/it will be cornifying
we will be cornifying
they will be cornifying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have cornified
you will have cornified
he/she/it will have cornified
we will have cornified
they will have cornified

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been cornifying
you will have been cornifying
he/she/it will have been cornifying
we will have been cornifying
they will have been cornifying

IMPERATIVE

you cornify
we let´s cornify

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to cornify

PAST

I cornified
you cornified
he/she/it cornified
we cornified
they cornified

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was cornifying
you were cornifying
he/she/it was cornifying
we were cornifying
they were cornifying

PAST PARTICIPLE

cornified

PAST PERFECT

I had cornified
you had cornified
he/she/it had cornified
we had cornified
they had cornified

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been cornifying
you had been cornifying
he/she/it had been cornifying
we had been cornifying
they had been cornifying

PRESENT

I cornify
you cornify
he/she/it cornifies
we cornify
they cornify

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am cornifying
you are cornifying
he/she/it is cornifying
we are cornifying
they are cornifying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

cornifying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have cornified
you have cornified
he/she/it has cornified
we have cornified
they have cornified

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been cornifying
you have been cornifying
he/she/it has been cornifying
we have been cornifying
they have been cornifying