To save this word, you'll need to log in.
San Jo·se scale | \ ˌsa-nə-ˈzā- 
, ˌsan-(h)ō- \
, ˌsan-(h)ō- \Definition of San Jose scale
: a scale insect (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus) probably of Asian origin that is naturalized in the U.S. and is destructive to fruit trees
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on San Jose scale
What made you want to look up San Jose scale? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Obscure Shapes
- Something that is ooid is shaped like:
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share San Jose scale
Time Traveler for San Jose scale
The first known use of San Jose scale was in 1887
See more words from the same year