leprose
- adjective
- /ˈlɛprəs/
- Archaic
- Under the microscope, the insect's wing was revealed to be leprose, covered in tiny scales.
Examples
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The leprose bark of the tree made it uncomfortable to lean against.
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Some lichens have a distinctly leprose texture, appearing powdery or scurf-like.
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The leprose skin of the reptile fascinated the students.
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He noticed the leprose texture of the old tree bark.
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The leprose skin of the reptile fascinated the students as they learned about its unique adaptations.
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Under the microscope, the insect's wing was revealed to be leprose, covered in tiny scales that glimmered in the light.
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He noticed the leprose texture of the old tree bark, which was rough and flaky to the touch.
Synonyms
16
3.3
A surface with small, flat pieces like fish or reptile skin
2
9.9
Having or looking like a long-lasting skin disease that makes sores and causes loss of feeling
1
9.9
Rough to the touch with many small bumps or scales
1
9.9
A surface that has small dry flakes like dandruff
Rough to the touch because it is covered with small scales
Antonyms
How Rough
Surface Forms
Morphology
leprose = leprosy (semi-transparent) = lepros + ose
Formed from the combining root related to 'leprosy' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ose'; the semantic connection to 'scaly' is clear to those who know 'leprosy' but both the root and suffix are rare, so learners may not readily analyze it.
Etymology
Leprose comes from the old word lepra, meaning 'scaly' or 'diseased skin', and is the same root as leprosy and leper. So leprose describes a surface that looks rough, powdery, or covered in tiny scales.