leaf

¹

[ leef ]

noun

, plural leaves [leevz].

1. one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant.
2. any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem.
3. a petal:

   a rose leaf.

4. leaves collectively; foliage.
5. Bibliography. a unit generally comprising two printed, blank, or illustrated pages of a book, one on each side.
6. a thin sheet of metal:

   silver leaf.

7. a lamina or layer.
8. a sliding, hinged, or detachable flat part, as of a door or tabletop.
9. a section of a drawbridge.
10. a single strip of metal in a leaf spring.
11. a tooth of a small gear wheel, as of a pinion.
12. leaf fat.
13. Textiles. shaft ( def 14 ).

verb (used without object)

1. to put forth leaves.
2. to turn pages, especially quickly (usually followed by through ):

   to leaf through a book.

verb (used with object)

1. to thumb or turn, as the pages of a book or magazine, in a casual or cursory inspection of the contents.

Leaf

²

[ leef ]

noun

1. Mun·ro [muhn-, roh], 1905–76, U.S. author and illustrator of books for children.

leaf

/ liːf /

noun

1. the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants, usually consisting of a flat green blade attached to the stem directly or by a stalk foliarfoliate
2. foliage collectively
3. in leaf
   (of shrubs, trees, etc) having a full complement of foliage leaves
4. one of the sheets of paper in a book
5. a hinged, sliding, or detachable part, such as an extension to a table
6. metal in the form of a very thin flexible sheet

   gold leaf

7. a foil or thin strip of metal in a composite material; lamina
8. short for leaf spring
9. the inner or outer wall of a cavity wall
10. a crop that is harvested in the form of leaves
11. a metal strip forming one of the laminations in a leaf spring
12. a slang word for marijuana
13. take a leaf out of someone's book or take a leaf from someone's book
    to imitate someone, esp in one particular course of action
14. turn over a new leaf
    to begin a new and improved course of behaviour

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by through to turn (through pages, sheets, etc) cursorily
2. intr (of plants) to produce leaves

leaf

/ lēf /

1. An appendage growing from the stem of a plant. Leaves are extremely variable in form and function according to species. For example, the needles of pine trees, the spines of cacti, and the bright red parts of the poinsettia plant are all leaves modified for different purposes. However, most leaves are flat and green and adapted to capturing sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. They consist of an outer tissue layer (the epidermis) through which water and gases are exchanged, a spongy inner layer of cells that contain chloroplasts, and veins that supply water and minerals and carry out food. Some leaves are simple, while others are compound, consisting of multiple leaflets. The flat part of the leaf, the blade, is often attached to the stem by a leafstalk.

Derived Forms

• ˈleafˌlike, adjective
• ˈleaflessness, noun
• ˈleafless, adjective

Other Words From

• leafless adjective
• leaflike adjective
• un·leaf verb (used with object)
• un·leaflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English leef, lef, Old English lēaf; cognate with Dutch loof, German Laub, Old Norse lauf, Gothic laufs

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaf¹

Old English; related to Gothic laufs, Icelandic lauf

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in leaf, covered with foliage; having leaves:

   the pale green tint of the woods newly in leaf.

2. take a leaf out of / from someone's book, to follow someone's example; imitate:

   Some countries that took a leaf out of American industry's book are now doing very well for themselves.

3. turn over a new leaf, to begin anew; make a fresh start:

   Every New Year's we make resolutions to turn over a new leaf.

More idioms and phrases containing leaf

In addition to the idiom beginning with leaf , also see quake in one's boots (like a leaf) ; take a leaf out of someone's book ; turn over a new leaf .

Example Sentences

Natural selection leaves subtle signatures on our genome, but these marks can erode over generations due to recombination, where segments of DNA are shuffled and diluted.

From Science Daily

As in his first term, Trump will get to fill whatever vacancies Biden leaves behind.

From Los Angeles Times

The state has estimated the total cost at $20.1 billion, and Newsom has said he hopes to have the project fully permitted to move forward by the time he leaves office in early 2027.

From Los Angeles Times

Often equity is capped so that if a person leaves, the building remains affordable for the next resident.

From Los Angeles Times

"I must say the remark leaves me most gutted."

From BBC

Related Words

• frond
• needle
• petal
• stalk