squāma, ae, f., a scale (of a fish, serpent, etc.).
I Lit.: alias (animantes) squamis obductas, Cic. N. D. 2, 47, 121.—Of a serpent: tractu squamae crepitantis harenam Sulcat, Ov. M. 15, 725: hydri, Verg. G. 3, 545; id. A. 5, 88; 11, 754; Ov. M. 3, 63; 4, 577.—Of a fish: alia integuntur squamis ut pisces, Plin. 9, 12, 14, § 114; Claud. in Eutr. 1, 295.—Of bees: rutilis clarus squamis, Verg. G. 4, 93.—
B Transf. *
1 Poet., a fish , Juv. 4, 25.—
2 Of scaleshaped things (poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
α Scale-armor , Verg. A. 9, 707; 11, 488.—
β A cataract in the eye, Plin. 29, 1, 8, § 21. —
γ Hulls or husks : milli, Plin. 34, 11, 24, § 107.—
δ Scales of metal struck off by the hammer : ferri, Plin. 34, 15, 46, § 154; Cels. 5, 1: aeris, Plin. 34, 11, 24, § 107; Cels. 2, 12: plumbi, Plin. 30, 12, 33, § 107.—*
II Trop., roughness , rudeness : sermonis, Sid. Ep. 3, 3.