desquamate

[des-kwuh-meyt]

verb (used without object)

Pathology.

desquamated, desquamating 

1. to come off in scales, as the skin in certain diseases; peel off.

desquamate

/ ˈdɛskwəˌmeɪt /

verb

1. (intr) (esp of the skin in certain diseases) to peel or come off in scales

Other Word Forms

• desquamation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desquamate¹

First recorded in 1720–30, desquamate is from the Latin word dēsquāmātus (past participle of dēsquāmāre to remove scales from). See de-, squamate

Word History and Origins

Origin of desquamate¹

C18: from Latin dēsquāmāre to scale off, from _de- + squāma a scale

Example Sentences

The subsequent history confirmed the diagnosis of scarlet fever, for the skin desquamated, and on April 1st abundant albumen was found in the urine.

From Project Gutenberg

She considered herself now well, but still her skin was flabby, especially on the hands where the epidermis often desquamated, and the nails remained hard, brittle and without lustre.

From Project Gutenberg

The exterior of the nose, especially at the tip, became intensely red and toward the close of the attack the cuticle desquamated.

From Project Gutenberg

Cases of the evacuation of desquamated patches of diphtheritic membrane from the intestinal mucosa 6 to 9 feet in length have been reported.

From Project Gutenberg

The margins of the pustules, before of a distinct red, now assume a bluish-red or purplish colour, and the skin begins to desquamate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exfoliate 
• sliver