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
   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. See leaf spring
   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. See marijuana
    a slang word for marijuana
13. take a leaf out of someone's book
    take a leaf out of someone's booktake a leaf from someone's book to imitate someone, esp in one particular course of action
14. turn over a new leaf
    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

• ˈleaflessness, noun
• ˈleafless, adjective
• ˈleafˌlike, 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

Thankfully, the chore of keeping your property looking great is made easier with a leaf blower.

From Popular-Science

The Leaf has been around for nearly a decade, but many reviewers still think the base model cuts a few too many corners to hit a lower price point.

From Fortune

With most recreational pleasures put on pause for men in these communities, women who aren’t sellers are hopeful that their husbands will turn over a new leaf, say activists.

From Ozy

To test a link between leaf biting and pollen shortages, the researchers did a caged-bee test.

From Science News For Students

The notion that bee damage to a leaf could jump-start flowering originally struck Mark Mescher as a long shot.

From Science News For Students

A lot of us Republicans are having trouble getting the leaf blower started.

From The Daily Beast

Where does this “Arab Tea Leaf” come from, according to the talking heads?

From The Daily Beast

Grown in the jungle by the indigenous Kichwa, guayusa (gwhy-you-sa) is a sacred leaf used in ceremonial rituals.

From The Daily Beast

Obviously, I buy in bulk and I buy from a specialty gold leaf wholesaler on the West Coast.

From The Daily Beast

Or is Rand co-opting them by merely using his newfound adviser as a fig leaf?

From The Daily Beast

Not a zephyr ruffled the leaf of a rose, and a soft breathing fragrance bathed his reposing senses.

From Project Gutenberg

Hitherto, I have not given the subject much consideration, but I turn over a new leaf from the date of this adventure.

From Project Gutenberg

Virginia leaf still continues to flourish, and to-day it is the great agricultural product of the State.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose Grandfather Mole has taken my advice and turned over a new leaf.

From Project Gutenberg

When rapidly deposited, as by artificial precipitation, triple phosphate often takes feathery, star- or leaf-like forms.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frond
• needle
• petal
• stalk