cottony-cushion scale

noun

cot·​tony-cush·​ion scale ˈkät-nē-ˈku̇-shən- How to pronounce cottony-cushion scale (audio)
ˈkä-tᵊn-ē-
: a scale insect (Icerya purchasi) introduced into the U.S. from Australia that infests citrus and other plants

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cottony-cushion scale was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near cottony-cushion scale

Cite this Entry

“Cottony-cushion scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottony-cushion%20scale. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on cottony-cushion scale

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!