| scuppernong | <botany> An American grape, a form of Vitis vulpina, found in the Southern Atlantic States, and often cultivated. Origin: Probably of American Indian origin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| scurf | 1. Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff. 2. Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent. "The scurf is worn away of each committed crime." (Dryden) 3. Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface. "There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire Shone with a glossy scurf." (Milton) 4. <botany> Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. Origin: AS. Scurf, sceorf, or from Scand.; cf. Sw. Skorf, Dan. Skurv, Icel. Skurfur, D. Schurft, G. Schorf; all akin to AS. Scurf, and to AS. Sceorfan to scrape, to gnaw, G. Schurfen to scrape, and probably also to E. Scrape. Cf. Scurvy. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scurfiness | 1. Quality or state of being scurfy. 2. <botany> Scurf. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scurrit | <zoology> The lesser tern (Sterna minuta). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scurvy | Disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency. The effects are due to a failure of the hydroxylation of proline residues in collagen synthesis and the consequent failure of fibroblasts to produce mature collagen. See: hydroxyproline. (18 Nov 1997) |
| scurvy rickets | infantile scurvy |
| scutate | 1. Buckler-shaped; round or nearly round. 2. <zoology> Protected or covered by bony or horny plates, or large scales. Origin: L. Scutatus armed with a shield, from scutum a shield. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scutch | 1. To beat or whip; to drub. 2. To separate the woody fibre from (flax, hemp, etc) by beating; to swingle. 3. To loosen and dress the fibre of (cotton or silk) by beating; to free (fibrous substances) from dust by beating and blowing. Scutching machine, a machine used to scutch cotton, silk, or flax; called also batting machine. Origin: See Scotch to cut slightly. 1. A wooden instrument used in scutching flax and hemp. 2. The woody fibre of flax; the refuse of scutched flax. "The smoke of the burning scutch." Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scutch grass | <botany> A kind of pasture grass (Cynodon Dactylon). See Bermuda grass: also Illustration in Appendix. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scute | 1. A small shield. 2. An old French gold coin of the value of 3s. 4d. Sterling, or about 80 cents. 3. <zoology> A bony scale of a reptile or fish; a large horny scale on the leg of a bird, or on the belly of a snake. Origin: L. Scutum a shield, a buckler. See Scudo. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scutella | Origin: NL, fem. Dim. Of L. Scutum. <zoology> See Scutellum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scutellated | 1. <zoology> Formed like a plate or salver; composed of platelike surfaces; as, the scutellated bone of a sturgeon. 2. [See Scutellum. <ornithology, zoology> Having the tarsi covered with broad transverse scales, or scutella; said of certain birds. Origin: L. Scutella a dish, salver. Cf. Scuttle a basket. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scutellation | <zoology> The entire covering, or mode of arrangement, of scales, as on the legs and feet of a bird. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scutelliform | 1. Scutellate. 2. <botany> Having the form of a scutellum. Origin: L. Scutella a dish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| scutelliplantar | <ornithology, zoology> Having broad scutella on the front, and small scales on the posterior side, of the tarsus; said of certain birds. Origin: L. Scutellus a shield + planta foot. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |