DECIDUOUS

deciduous

(adjective) (of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season

deciduous

(adjective) (of teeth, antlers, etc.) being shed at the end of a period of growth; “deciduous teeth”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

deciduous (not comparable)

(biology, anatomy) Describing a part that falls off, or is shed, at a particular time or stage of development.

Antonyms: persistent, permanent

(botany) Of or pertaining to trees which lose their leaves in winter or the dry season.

Antonyms: evergreen, sempervirent. Cf. caducous.

Transitory, ephemeral, not lasting.

Source: Wiktionary

De*cid"u*ous, a. Etym: [L. deciduus, fr. dec to fall off; de- + cadere to fall. See Chance.] (Biol.)

Definition: Falling off, or subject to fall or be shed, at a certain season, or a certain stage or interval of growth, as leaves (except of evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the deciduous membrane.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition