I.a scale (of a fish, serpent, etc.).
I. Lit.: “alias (animantes) squamis obductas,” Cic. N. D. 2, 47, 121.—Of a serpent: “tractu squamae crepitantis harenam Sulcat,” Ov. M. 15, 725: “hydri,” Verg. G. 3, 545; id. A. 5, 88; 11, 754; Ov. M. 3, 63; 4, 577.—Of a fish: “alia integuntur squamis ut pisces,” Plin. 9, 12, 14, § 114; Claud. in Eutr. 1, 295.—Of bees: “rutilis clarus squamis,” Verg. G. 4, 93.—
B. Transf. *
1. Poet., a fish, Juv. 4, 25.—
2. Of scaleshaped things (poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
(β).
A cataract in the eye, Plin. 29, 1, 8, § 21. —
(δ).
Scales of metal struck off by the hammer: “ferri,” Plin. 34, 15, 46, § 154; Cels. 5, 1: “aeris,” Plin. 34, 11, 24, § 107; Cels. 2, 12: “plumbi,” Plin. 30, 12, 33, § 107.—*
II. Trop., roughness, rudeness: “sermonis,” Sid. Ep. 3, 3.