scaly

adj

1. Covered or abounding with scales.

   “a scaly fish  a scaly stem”

   “If the lids of the eyes become inflamed and scaly, do not seek to remove the scales roughly, for they will bring the lashes with them.”

   “Like scaly carp and feathered swan To nature's world we do belong.”

2. Composed of scales lying over each other.

   “a scaly bulb”

3. Resembling scales, laminae, or layers.
4. (South-Africa, dated, vulgar)low, mean.

   “a scaly fellow”

   “This done, he removed the hat; and having touched his forehead lightly with a silk handkerchief, for the afternoon sun was warm, gazed about him with a grave distaste. “A scaly neighbourhood!” he murmured. The young man’s judgment was one at which few people with an eye for beauty would have cavilled.”

noun

1. (South-Africa)The scaly yellowfish (Labeobarbus natalensis).