scutellation

American

[skyoot-l-ey-shuhn] / ˌskyut lˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

Zoology.

a scutellate state or formation; a scaly covering, as on a bird's foot.
an arrangement of scutella or scales.

scutellation British

/ ˌskjuːtɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

the way in which scales or plates are arranged in an animal
a covering of scales or scutella, as on a bird's leg

"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

Etymology

Origin of scutellation

First recorded in 1870–75; scutell(um) + -ation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Examination of 18 specimens from Costa Rica shows no differences in scutellation, nor geographic segregation of two populations.

From Project Gutenberg

The scutellation of the cottonmouth closely resembles that of the other species of Agkistrodon.

From Project Gutenberg

The scutellation resembles that of other species of Agkistrodon.

From Project Gutenberg

The external scutellation of the plastral hinge in adults also differs from that in juveniles.

From Project Gutenberg

Remarks.—I have been unable to find variation of geographic importance in scutellation in this species.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023