pellicle
Delicate surface layer
A pellicle is a thin skin or film.
In biology, it refers to the membrane surrounding single-celled organisms like paramecia, or the thin protein layer that forms on teeth.
In photography, it describes the thin coating on film.
Wine or vinegar may develop a pellicle—a surface film formed by bacteria or yeast: A pellicle had formed on the neglected batch of kombucha.
Blended immiscible liquids
- silverLustrous white precious metal
- gelatinCollagen-derived thickening protein
- nitrateNO₃ compound
- acetateVinegar-derived compound
celluloid · daguerreotype · collodion · sensitized · coating · exposure · darkroom · developing
Thin tissue sheet
- cuticleDead skin at nail base
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- skinBody's outer layer
- cellBasic unit of life
epidermis · capsule · exoskeleton · chitin · husk · shell · scale · rind
Fermenting fungus
- brewingBeverage preparation process
- beerFermented grain drink
- kombuchaFermented tea drink
- saccharomycesBudding yeast genus
acetobacter · vinegar · souring · wild · maturation · secondary · microflora · fermentation
Small in diameter
- filmyThin and translucent
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- sheerAbsolute; also diaphanous
delicate · transparent · gauzy · wispy · fine · fragile · tenuous · membranous
Applied surface covering
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- reflectiveCasting back light
- antireflectiveMinimizes light bounce-back
interference · thin-film · filter · beamsplitter · dichroic · substrate · deposition · evaporation
emulsion
Blended immiscible liquids
acetate · celluloid · daguerreotype · collodion · sensitized · coating · exposure · darkroom · developing · archival
membrane
Thin tissue sheet
cell · epidermis · capsule · exoskeleton · chitin · husk · shell · scale · rind · cortex
yeast
Fermenting fungus
saccharomyces · acetobacter · vinegar · souring · wild · maturation · secondary · microflora · fermentation · surface
thin
Small in diameter
- filmyThin and translucent
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
sheer · delicate · transparent · gauzy · wispy · fine · fragile · tenuous · membranous · veil
coating
Applied surface covering
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- reflectiveCasting back light
antireflective · interference · thin-film · filter · beamsplitter · dichroic · substrate · deposition · evaporation · sputtering
pelliclethick hide
Insensitivity to insults
thick skin · carapace · armor · hide · bulk