(botany) a covering that resembles scales or bran that covers some plant parts
<noun.object>
a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin
<noun.object>
Scurf \Scurf\, n. [AS. scurf, sceorf, or from Scand.; cf. Sw. skorf, Dan. skurv, Icel. skurfur, D. schurft, G. schorf; all akin to AS. scurf, and to AS. sceorfan to scrape, to gnaw, G. sch["u]rfen to scrape, and probably also to E. scrape. Cf. {Scurvy}.] 1. Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff.
2. Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent.
The scurf is worn away of each committed crime. --Dryden.
3. Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface.
There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire Shone with a glossy scurf. --Milton.
4. (Bot.) Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. --Gray.