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coriaceous

coriaceous

1 9.9
Thick and tough like leather
  • adjective
  • /ˌkɔːrɪˈeɪʃəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : coráceo
  • The book's cover was made of coriaceous material, giving it a durable and flexible feel.

Examples

  • This is characterized by trees with thick, evergreen, coriaceous leaves, between 30-40 ft in height, forming a complete canopy.

    Academic text (1993)
  • In the desert, many plants have coriaceous skins to help them retain moisture.

  • The plant has coriaceous leaves that can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Synonyms

leathery
vscoriaceous
12 3.9

Feels tough but flexible like animal skin

is the technical word for that same tough flexible texture
rubbery
vscoriaceous
3 3.3

Flexible and bouncy when you bend or squeeze it

focuses on non-elastic toughness like hide rather than springy stretchiness
leathered
vscoriaceous
1 5.7

Having a smooth, tough surface like the skin used for bags or jackets

is the precise term used in formal descriptions of that texture
leatherlike
vscoriaceous
5.1

Having a tough, smooth, flexible feel like animal skin used for bags and jackets

is a more formal descriptor for that same hide-like texture
leathern
vscoriaceous
  • Archaic
7.4

Made from animal skin treated to be thick and smooth

is a specific adjective used for the same tough flexible quality
leather-leaved
vscoriaceous
7.5

Having thick, tough leaves like leather that help the plant keep water

is broader and applies to the texture in many materials, not only leaves
leather-leafed
vscoriaceous
7.9

Leaves that are thick, tough, and do not bend easily

is the general term for that tough flexible texture beyond leaves
rubberlike
vscoriaceous
4.1

A thing that feels stretchy and slightly tough like rubber

indicates a stable, non-resilient toughness similar to animal hide

How Leathery

coriaceous
  • Specialized
1 9.9
tough
250 1.7
firm
30 1.0

Surface Forms

coriaceous positive

Etymology

The word coriaceous comes from the Latin corium, meaning 'hide' or 'leather', so it describes something with a tough, leather-like feel that protects a plant or object.