Definition of "squamous"

In the squamous heads of Scabius, Knapweed, and the elegant Jacea Pinea, and in the Scaly composure of the Oak-Rose, which some years most aboundeth.

1658, Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus, Folio Society, published 2007, page 180

I might call it gigantic - tentacled - proboscidian - octopus-eyed - semi-amorphous - plastic - partly squamous and partly rugose - ugh!

1933, H. P. Lovecraft, Hazel Heald, Out of the Aeons

We spread the papers on the least squamous section of the floor and lay down; the smell was not so bad at ground level.

1973, Kyril Bonfiglioli, Don't Point That Thing at Me, Penguin, published 2001, page 133

(And we'll never find out whether the last thought to pass through the mind of the captain of the Thresher was, "It's squamous and rugose," or simply, "It's squamous!")

2001, Charles Stross, The Atrocity Archive, trade paperback 2006 edition, page 66