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leaf Definition

leaf (lēf)

noun pl. leaves

  1. any of the flat, thin, expanded organs, usually green, growing laterally from the stem or twig of a plant: it usually consists of a broad blade, a petiole, or stalk, and stipules and is involved in the processes of photosynthesis and transpiration
  2. in popular usage
    1. the blade of a leaf
    2. a petal
  3. leaves collectively choice tobacco leaf
  4. a design resembling a leaf, used as an ornament in architecture
  5. a sheet of paper, esp. as part of a book, with a page on each side
    1. a very thin sheet of metal; lamina
    2. such sheets collectively covered with gold leaf
    1. a hinged section of a table top, forming an extension when raised into place
    2. a board inserted into a table top to increase its surface
  8. a flat, hinged or movable part of a folding door, shutter, etc.
  9. ☆ one of a number of metal strips laid one upon another to make a leaf spring

Etymology: ME lefe < OE leaf, akin to Du loof, Ger laub < IE base *leubh-, to peel off, pull off > Lith lupù, to skin, pare off

intransitive verb

  1. to put forth or bear leaves: often with out
  2. to turn the pages of a book, etc., esp. so as to glance quickly (through)

transitive verb

turn the pages of

leaf Related Forms

leaf′·less adjective leaf′·like′ adjective

leaf Idioms

in leaf

having leaves grown; with foliage

take a leaf from someone's book

to follow someone's example

turn over a new leaf

to make a new start

leaf Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • pluck: One day, as I plucked a leaf, a bit of the bark came off.
  • fold: Martin London H.M.S.O. 1901 9 p. , [ 1 ] folded leaf of plans; 33 cm.

Adjective modifier

  • peach: Fruit Spray peaches against peach leaf curl with lime sulfur.
  • pinnate: The compound pinnate leaf has 5 - 7 leaflets although some authorities state up to eleven.
  • gold: The vase is a blue glass with gold leaf.
  • loose: Happy Birthday dear Tea Bag... But does it make a cuppa quite as good as good old loose leaf?
  • yellow: Typing of tomato yellow leaf curl viruses in Europe.
  • inner: The airspace between the panels and inner leaf was then drained and ventilated to the exterior [ 3 ] .

Modifies a noun

  • litter: Between bouts of feeding the older caterpillars rest at the bottom of the plant, often hiding in leaf litter.
  • axil: The female flowers are tiny and occur at the leaf axils, where the leaf stalks join the twigs.
  • mold: Posted by Clair on 29 November, 2005 at 12:12 PM Use earth or leaf mold litter instead of cat litter.
  • stalk: They cannot be pulled out, for the thin leaf stalk breaks off very quickly.
  • blight: Fungal foliar diseases and their control, including leaf blights, downy mildews, leaf curls, mildews, leaf spots and rusts.
  • blower: A leaf blower may also be handy especially if your lawn is very large.

Noun used with modifier

  • fig: The UN therefore is little more than a fig leaf.
  • coca: Regarding coca &#61623; South American countries were presented as an example of where coca leaf chewing is legal and regulated.
  • bay: Add the garlic clove and bay leaf, and fry briefly over medium heat until the garlic just starts to brown.
  • raspberry: Red raspberry leaf is one of the most proven female herbs.
  • maple: Perhaps a team emblem, a big-ass maple leaf?
  • lettuce: Each leaf of his lettuce leaf home can be peeled back to reveal a Mini Beast friend.