armored scale

noun

1. any of numerous insects constituting the family Diaspididae, the largest group of scale insects, which includes many important pests of various trees and shrubs, as the San Jose scale.

Word History and Origins

Origin of armored scale¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The tooth blade gracefully twirled through the air before bouncing uselessly off the grootslangs armored scales and landing in the dirt.

From Literature

The carnivorous lizard can grow up to 10 feet long and is equipped with a forked tongue, serrated teeth, armored scales and venom-laced saliva.

From New York Times

With its fleshy, lobed fins and its tough armored scales, the specimen looked very unlike fish we see in our oceans today.

From New York Times

Lime-sulfur wash is an excellent material to use against sucking insects, such as the San José scale and other armored scales.

From Project Gutenberg