adjective
also scaley ˈskālē, -li
( scalier ; scaliest )
Etymology: scale (IV) + -y
1.
a. : covered or abounding with scales
scaly fish
scaly trunks of trees
b. : covered with scale
a scaly boiler
c. : composed of scales
scaly armor
specifically : composed of imbricated scales
a scaly bud
d. : composed of or forming scale
a scaly encrustation
e. : cleaving off in flakes at the surface
scaly stone
2. : consisting of scaly animals : being a scaly animal
3.
a. : mean , despicable , stingy
a scaly fellow
b. : poor , inferior
a scaly piece of road — Hamlin Garland
4. : infested with scale insects
scaly fruit