[f. FISH sb.1] One of the scales of a fish’s skin. Chiefly attrib. (in quot. 1834 referring to ichthyosis: cf. fish-skin disease below); fish-scale tile, a tile shaped like a fish scale.
a. 1661. Holyday, Juvenal, 61.
| Was this a price for Fish-scales? I durst ghuess, | |
| One might have bought the Fisherman for less. |
1834. Good, Study Med. (ed. 4), IV. 465. One case is recorded, in which the face was the only part exempted from the fish-scale covering.
1881. F. Young, Every man his own Mechanic, § 1260. Fish-scale tile slabs, £12 10s. per 100. Ibid., § 1261. The fish-scale slabs … are notched or rebated on the lower edge.
1882. Caulfeild & Saward, Dict. Needlework, Fish Scale Embroidery.… The principal parts of the design, such as flower, leaves, butterflies, birds, are covered over with brightly tinted Fish Scales, sewn to the foundation with coloured silks.
