Scutum /(?)/

pl. Scuta

1. An oblong shield made of boards or wickerwork covered with leather, with sometimes an iron rim; -- carried chiefly by the heavy-armed infantry. (Rom. Antiq.)
2. A penthouse or awning. (O. Eng. Law) [Obs.]
3. The second and largest of the four parts forming the upper surface of a thoracic segment of an insect. It is preceded by the prescutum and followed by the scutellum. See the Illust. under Thorax. (Zool.)