Scutum

1 definition found

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

  Scutum \Scu"tum\, n.; pl. {Scuta}. [L.]
     1. (Rom. Antiq.) An oblong shield made of boards or
        wickerwork covered with leather, with sometimes an iron
        rim; -- carried chiefly by the heavy-armed infantry.
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     2. (O. Eng. Law) A penthouse or awning. [Obs.] --Burrill.
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     3. (Zool.)
        (a) The second and largest of the four parts forming the
            upper surface of a thoracic segment of an insect. It
            is preceded by the prescutum and followed by the
            scutellum. See the Illust. under {Thorax}.
        (b) One of the two lower valves of the operculum of a
            barnacle.
            [1913 Webster]