To shed or peel off in scales or flakes, especially referring to skin shedding or mineral surfaces flaking away.
From Latin desquamare, combining de- (away) with squama (scale). This is a medical and biological term used to describe the natural or pathological shedding of scales or skin cells.
Dermatologists use 'desquamate' to describe what happens when you have dandruff or psoriasis—it's a fancy way of saying your skin is flaking off, but the Latin roots make it sound scientific instead of gross.
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