Scutellum

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scutellum \Scu*tel"lum\, n.; pl. {Scutella}. [NL., neut. dim. of
     L. scutum a shield.]
     1. (Bot.) A rounded apothecium having an elevated rim formed
        of the proper thallus, the fructification of certain
        lichens.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. (Zool.)
        (a) The third of the four pieces forming the upper part of
            a thoracic segment of an insect. It follows the
            scutum, and is followed by the small postscutellum; a
            scutella. See {Thorax}.
        (b) One of the transverse scales on the tarsi and toes of
            birds; a scutella.
            [1913 Webster]