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defoliate Definition

de·fo·li·ate (-āt′)

transitive verb defoliated -·at′ed, defoliating -·at′·ing

  1. to strip (trees, etc.) of leaves
  2. ☆ to use a defoliant on

Etymology: < LL defoliatus, pp. of defoliare < de-, from + folium, a leaf: see foliate

Related Forms:

defoliate Usage Examples

Object

  • forest: The military objective was to defoliate the forests which provided operational cover for Viet Kong and North Vietnamese forces.
  • crop: Most growers have managed to defoliate crops before the disease spread to tubers.
  • tree: South American ants can defoliate a tree or eat 30 square meters of Soya beans in a single night.

Browse dictionary entries near defoliate

  1. defoliant
  2. defogging
  3. defogger
  4. defogged
  5. defog
  6. Defoe
  7. deflower
  8. defloration
  9. deflexion
  10. deflexed
  1. defoliated
  2. defoliating
  3. defoliation
  4. defoliator
  5. deforce
  6. deforced
  7. deforcement
  8. deforciant
  9. deforcing
  10. deforest