desquamate

[ des-kwuh-meyt ]

/ ˈdɛs kwəˌmeɪt /

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

Nearby words

despot, despotic, despotic monarchy, despotism, despumate, desquamation, 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

Examples from the Web for desquamation

Convalescence was slow; sometimes there was desquamation of the skin.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection|Alexander Wynter Blyth
The packs, once a day, should be continued about a week after desquamation.
Hydriatic treatment of Scarlet Fever in its Different Forms|Charles Munde
The desquamation when present is finer than in either measles or scarlet fever.
The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI)|Various
When eczema reaches its latest period, either acute or chronic, desquamation of the affected parts is the most prominent feature.
Special Report on Diseases of Cattle|U.S. Department of Agriculture

This desquamation is sometimes in mass, in sheets peeling off like a pseudo-membrane.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various

British Dictionary definitions for desquamation

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 desquamation (1 of 2)

desquamation

[ dĕs′kwə-mā′shən ]

n.

The shedding or peeling of the epidermis in scales.

The shedding of the outer layer of a surface.

Medicine definitions for desquamation (2 of 2)

desquamate

[ dĕs′kwə-māt′ ]

v.

To shed, peel, or come off in scales. Used of skin.