Definition of scutes:
(n) :
(zoology) A horny, chitinous, or bony external plate or scale, as on the shell of a turtle or the skin of crocodiles.
(n) :
(genetics) A proneural gene, often associated with achaete, that is required for the formation of many larval and adult sense organs
(n) :
(obsolete) A small shield.
(n) :
(historical) An old French gold coin.