scurf

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   flakes or scales shed from the surface of the skin, especially as dandruff or because of disease

   A medicated shampoo reduced the scurf on the dog's skin.

2. 2
   noun

   a scaly or branlike coating on the surface of a plant part

   A pale scurf covered the underside of the infected leaves.

From Old English scurf, 'scab or skin disease,' related to a Germanic verb meaning 'to scrape or gnaw' and ultimately to an Indo-European root meaning 'to cut.' The word came to denote loose flakes from skin and similar scale-like coatings on plants.

Topics