Scutum

views updated May 11 2018

Scu·tum / ˈsk(y)oōtəm/ Astron. a small constellation (the Shield) near the celestial equator, lying in the Milky Way between Aquila and Serpens. ∎  [as genitive] (Scu·ti / -ˌtī/ ) used with a preceding letter or numeral to designate a star in this constellation: the star Beta Scuti.

scutum

views updated May 14 2018

scu·tum / ˈsk(y)oōtəm/ • n. (pl. -ta / -tə/ ) Zool. another term for scute. ∎  Entomol. the second dorsal sclerite in each thoracic segment of an insect.

scutum

views updated May 14 2018

scutum
1. In Cirripedia, one of the two plates covering the anterior end of the sides of the mantle.

2. In Insecta, the middle of the three divisions of the dorsal surface of a thoracic segment.

scutum

views updated Jun 11 2018

scutum (nat. hist.) shield-shaped part or segment. XIX. techn. use of L. scūtum oblong shield.

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