foliation

[ foh-lee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of putting forth leaves.
2. the state of being in leaf.
3. Botany.
   1. the arrangement of leaves within a bud.
   2. the arrangement of leaves on a plant.
4. leaves or foliage.
5. Printing. the consecutive numbering of the folios or leaves, as distinguished from pages, of a manuscript or book.
6. the total number of such leaves.
7. Petrology. a form of lamination produced in rocks by metamorphism.
8. ornamentation with foliage, or an arrangement of foliage.
9. Architecture.
   1. ornamentation with foils.
   2. ornamentation with representations of foliage.
10. formation into thin sheets.
11. the application of foil to glass to make a mirror.

foliation

/ ˌfəʊlɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. botany
   1. the process of producing leaves
   2. the state of being in leaf
   3. the arrangement of leaves in a leaf bud; vernation
2. architect
   1. ornamentation consisting of foliage
   2. ornamentation consisting of cusps and foils
3. any decoration with foliage
4. the consecutive numbering of the leaves of a book
5. geology the arrangement of the constituents of a rock in leaflike layers, as in schists

foliation

/ fō′lē-ā′shən /

1. The set of layers visible in many metamorphic rocks as a result of the flattening and stretching of mineral grains during metamorphism.

Other Words From

• subfo·li·ation noun
• super·foli·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foliation¹

First recorded in 1615–25; foliate + -ion

Example Sentences

“A graphic foliation has put forth bold new leaves on the stems’ ancient design,” she speaks.

From New York Times

She moved it laterally on the surface of pebbles, where its numerous heraldic tufts and foliations made a rustling noise, and sometimes she scratched the bluff with a small whimper.

From Literature

Moser thinks partially cooled magma leaked into crustal rocks that oozed in like toothpaste to plug the crater, creating the layered foliation.

From Scientific American

Any sudden decrease of warmth would be very prejudicial to the progress of vegetation through the successive stages of foliation, inflorescence and fructification.

From Project Gutenberg

According to the meteorological folk-lore, the weather of the summer season is indicated by the foliation of the oak and ash trees.

From Project Gutenberg