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defoliate

[ verb dee-foh-lee-eyt; adjective dee-foh-lee-it, -eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.
  1. to strip (a tree, bush, etc.) of leaves.
  2. to destroy or cause widespread loss of leaves in (an area of jungle, forest, etc.), as by using chemical sprays or incendiary bombs, in order to deprive enemy troops or guerrilla forces of concealment.


verb (used without object)

, de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.
  1. to lose leaves.

adjective

  1. (of a tree) having lost its leaves, especially by a natural process.

defoliate

verb

  1. to deprive (a plant) of its leaves, as by the use of a herbicide, or (of a plant) to shed its leaves
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. (of a plant) having shed its leaves
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • deˈfoliˌator, noun
  • deˌfoliˈation, noun
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Other Words From

  • de·foli·ation noun
  • de·foli·ator noun
  • unde·foli·ated adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of defoliate1

1785–1795; < Medieval Latin dēfoliātus, past participle of dēfoliāre, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + foli ( um ) leaf + -ātus -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of defoliate1

C18: from Medieval Latin dēfoliāre, from Latin de- + folium leaf
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Example Sentences

When neglected for two or three years, they often defoliate large trees.

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