noun

1. a growing of or developing into a leaf or leaves; leaf formation
2. the state of being in leaf
3. the way leaves are arranged in the bud; vernation
4. the act or process of beating metal into layers
5. 1. a splitting into leaflike layers: said of certain minerals
   2. the property of splitting into such layers
   3. such layers
6. the process of backing glass as with metal foil to make a mirror
7. the consecutive numbering of leaves, rather than pages, of a book
8. 1. a decorating with leaflike ornamentation
   2. a leaflike decoration consisting of small arcs or foils

Etymology: ML foliatio: see foliate