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deciduous

The definition of deciduous is something that sheds after a period of time, such as a tree or a shrub that sheds its leaves annually or the milk teeth of a mammal that are shed as the mammal grows.

(adjective)

A tree that loses its leaves annually is an example of a deciduous tree.

See deciduous in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

falling off or out at a certain season or stage of growth, as some leaves, antlers, insect wings, or milk teeth
shedding leaves annually
short-lived; temporary

Origin: L deciduus < decidere, to fall off < de-, off, down + cadere, to fall: see case

Related Forms:

deciduously adverb
deciduousness noun

See deciduous in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Falling off or shed at a specific season or stage of growth: deciduous antlers; deciduous leaves; deciduous teeth.
Shedding or losing foliage at the end of the growing season: deciduous trees.
Not lasting; ephemeral.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin dēciduus

Origin: , from dēcidere, to fall off

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: