definitions

desquamate

[ des-kwuh-meyt ]
/ ˈdɛs kwəˌmeɪt /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR desquamate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), des·qua·mat·ed, des·qua·mat·ing. Pathology.

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

RELATED WORDS

exfoliate, sliver, shave, pare, scale, flay, strip, decorticate, flake, skin, uncover, shed, doff, blister, trim, chip, drop, slice, scab, delaminate

Nearby words

despot, despotic, despotic monarchy, despotism, despumate, desquamate, desquamation, desquamative, desquamative inflammatory vaginitis, dessalines, dessalines, jean jacques

Origin of desquamate

First recorded in 1720–30, desquamate is from the Latin word dēsquāmātus (past participle of dēsquāmāre to remove scales from). See de-, squamate
Related formsdes·qua·ma·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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British Dictionary definitions for desquamate

desquamate

/ (ˈdɛskwəˌmeɪt) /

verb

(intr) (esp of the skin in certain diseases) to peel or come off in scales
Derived Formsdesquamation, noun

Word Origin for desquamate

C18: from Latin dēsquāmāre to scale off, from de- + squāma a scale
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for desquamate

desquamate

[ dĕs′kwə-māt′ ]

v.

To shed, peel, or come off in scales. Used of skin.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.