Squama, squamæ, f. g. Plin. The scale of a sishe.Astantes squamæ.Virg.Scales standing stiffe vp.Crepitans squama.Ouid.Rustling scales.Arrectis squamis horret serpens.Virg.The serpent setting vp his scales is horrible and rough.Recenti squama nitet serpens.Ouid. Squamæ.Virg.Mailes, or little plates in an habergeon, or coate of fense.Duplici squama lorica.Virg.Nexilis squama. Sil. A maile that may be lincked. Squama æris.The flower and offall of brasse blowne from it in melting.
Lewis and Short: Latin dictionary
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). (a).Scale-armor, Verg. A. 9, 707; 11, 488.— (b).A cataract in the eye, Plin. 29, 1, 8, 21. —(g).Hulls or husks: milli, Plin. 34, 11, 24, 107.—(d).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.