EXFOLIATE

exfoliate

(verb) grow by producing or unfolding leaves; “plants exfoliate”

exfoliate

(verb) come off in a very thin piece

exfoliate

(verb) remove the surface, in scales or laminae

exfoliate

(verb) cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters

exfoliate

(verb) spread by opening the leaves of

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Verb

exfoliate (third-person singular simple present exfoliates, present participle exfoliating, simple past and past participle exfoliated)

To remove the leaves from a plant.

To remove a layer of skin, as in cosmetic preparation.

(mineralogy) To split into scales, especially to become converted into scales as the result of heat or decomposition.

Source: Wiktionary

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Ex*fo"li*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Exfoliated; p. pr. & vb. n. Exfoliating.] Etym: [L. exfoliare to strip of leaves; ex out, from + folium leaf.]

1. To separate and come off in scales or laminæ, as pieces of carious bone or of bark.

2. (Min.)

Definition: To split into scales, especially to become converted into scales at the result of heat or decomposition.

Ex*fo"li*ate v. t.

Definition: To remove scales, laminæ, or splinters from the surface of.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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