‖ scutella
(skjuːˈtɛlə)
Pl. scutellæ.
[mod.L.; originally a use of L. scutella platter, but mistaken for a dim. of L. scūtum shield, and hence altered in application.]
= scutellum in various senses.
| 1771 Encycl. Brit. II. 224/2 They [sc. snakes] have a number of scuta, or hard crusts, on the belly; and scutellæ, or scales, on the tail. 1837 P. Keith Bot. Lex. s.v. Scutella, The little shields or cups found on the thalli of the Lichens, are by botanists designated scutellæ. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. i. (1878) 16 The number of scutellæ on the toes. |