scute

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

scute
    n 1: large bony or horny plate as on an armadillo or turtle or
         the underside of a snake

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Scute \Scute\, n. [L. scutum a shield, a buckler. See {Scudo}.]
   1. A small shield. [Obs.] --Skelton.
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   2. An old French gold coin of the value of 3s. 4d. sterling,
      or about 80 cents.
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   3. (Zool.) 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.
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