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squamous

 - 5 dictionary results

squa·mous

   [skwey-muhs]
–adjective
1.
covered with or formed of squamae or scales.
2.
scalelike.
Use squamous in a Sentence
Also, squamosal, squa·mose  [skwey-mohs, skwuh-mohs] .

Origin:
1535–45; < L squāmōsus. See squama, -ous

—Related forms
squa·mous·ly, squa·mose·ly, adverb
squa·mous·ness, squa·mose·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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Word Origin & History

squamous
1540s, from L. squamosus "covered with scales, scaly," from squama "scale," perhaps related to squalus "foul, filthy" (see squalid). M.E. had squame (late 14c.) "a scale," from O.Fr. esquame, from L. squama.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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squa·mous   (skwā'məs, skwä'-)   
adj.  

  1. Covered with or formed of scales; scaly.

  2. Resembling a scale or scales; thin and flat like a scale: the squamous cells of the cervix.

  3. Of or relating to the thin, platelike part of the temporal bone.


[Latin squāmōsus, from squāma, scale.]
squa'mous·ly adv., squa'mous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: squa·mous
Pronunciation: 'skwA-m&s
Function: adjective
1 a : covered with or consisting of scales b : of,relating to, or being a stratified epithelium that consists at least in its outer layers of small scalelike cells
2 : resembling a scale or plate; especially : of,relating to, or being the thin anterior upper portion of the temporal bone
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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squamous squa·mous (skwā'məs, skwä'-) or squa·mose (-mōs')
adj.

  1. Covered with or formed of scales; scaly.

  2. Resembling a scale or scales; thin and flat.

  3. Squamosal.

squa'mous·ness n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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