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scutum definition

scu·tum (skyo̵̅o̅t′əm)

noun pl. scuta scu′ta (-ə)

  1. the long, wooden shield carried by infantrymen in the Roman legions
  2. a small S constellation between Aquila and Sagittarius
  3. Zool. a heavy, horny scale, as on certain reptiles and insects; scute

Etymology: L, prob. < IE base *(s)keut-, to cover, skin < hide, L cutis, skin, Gr skutos, hide, leather

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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