scutellum

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: scu=tel=lum

CIDE DICTIONARY

scutellum, n. [NL., neut. dim. of L. scutum a shield.].

•  A rounded apothecium having an elevated rim formed of the proper thallus, the fructification of certain lichens.  [1913 Webster]
•  The third of the four pieces forming the upper part of a thoracic segment of an insect. It follows the scutum, and is followed by the small postscutellum; a scutella. See Thorax.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

scutellum, n. (pl. scutella) Bot. & Zool. a scale, plate, or any shieldlike formation on a plant, insect, bird, etc., esp. one of the horny scales on a bird's foot.

Derivative

scutellate adj. scutellation n.

Etymology

mod.L dimin. of L scutum shield