squamous

[ skwey-muhs ]

adjective

1. covered with or formed of squamae; scaly.
2. like a scale.

squamous

/ ˈskweɪməs; ˈskweɪməʊs /

adjective

1. (of epithelium) consisting of one or more layers of flat platelike cells
2. covered with, formed of, or resembling scales

Derived Forms

• ˈsquamousness, noun
• ˈsquamously, adverb

Other Words From

• squamous·ly squamose·ly adverb
• squamous·ness squamose·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of squamous¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin squāmōsus “covered with scales, scaly”; squama, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of squamous¹

C16: from Latin squāmōsus, from squāma a scale

Example Sentences

And squamous cell carcinoma also develops under our fingernails.

From The Daily Beast

Caihua Liang, et al. “A Population-Based Case-Control Study of Marijuana Use and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.”

From The Daily Beast

Rather striking is the tendency of old squamous cells to retain the red stain, and fragments of such cells may mislead the unwary.

From Project Gutenberg

How are you to distinguish the papulo-squamous syphiloderm from psoriasis?

From Project Gutenberg

A mesothelial cell is very flattened, thus resembling a squamous epithelial cell.

From Project Gutenberg

In what respects does the papulo-squamous syphiloderm differ from psoriasis?

From Project Gutenberg

Chiefly with squamous eczema and the papulo-squamous syphiloderm; and on the scalp, also with seborrhœa.

From Project Gutenberg