defoliate

(-āt′)

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

Related Forms:

See defoliate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing, de·fo·li·ates

verb, transitive

To deprive (a plant, tree, or forest) of leaves.
To cause the leaves of (a plant, tree, or forest) to fall off, especially by the use of chemicals.

verb, intransitive

To lose foliage.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin dēfoliāre, dēfoliāt-

Origin: : Latin dē-, de-

Origin: + Latin folium, leaf; see bhel-³ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

Learn more about defoliate

defoliate in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD