scalelessadj.
/ˈskeɪlləs/, U.S. /ˈskeɪ(l)ləs/ Having no scales: chiefly of fish and reptiles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [adjective] > having a hard protective covering > having scales > not having scales
unscaled1562
scaleless1611
unscaly1716
naked1844
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Amie, a certaine skalesse fish.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Gracieux seigneur, a skalelesse fish, of a long forme.
1803 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. 370 Scaleless Chætodon. Chætodon Alepidotus.
1882 T. H. Huxley in Nature 9 Mar. 437/1 The scaleless parts of the body..of the fish.
1884 P. Robinson Fishes of Fancy in Fish. Exhib. Lit. III. 37 Egypt, where the scaleless fish were taboo in consequence of their..unwholesomeness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1611