defoliate
[ verb dee-foh-lee-eyt; adjective dee-foh-lee-it, -eyt ]
/ verb diˈfoʊ liˌeɪt; adjective diˈfoʊ li ɪt, -ˌeɪt /
verb (used with object), de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.
to strip (a tree, bush, etc.) of leaves.
to destroy or cause widespread loss of leaves in (an area of jungle, forest, etc.), as by using chemical sprays or incendiary bombs, in order to deprive enemy troops or guerrilla forces of concealment.
verb (used without object), de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.
to lose leaves.
adjective
(of a tree) having lost its leaves, especially by a natural process.
Origin of defoliate
OTHER WORDS FROM defoliate
de·fo·li·a·tion, noun de·fo·li·a·tor, noun un·de·fo·li·at·ed, adjectiveWords nearby defoliate
defocus,
defoe,
defog,
defogger,
defoliant,
defoliate,
deforce,
deforciant,
deforest,
deforestation,
deform
Example sentences from the Web for defoliation
British Dictionary definitions for defoliation
defoliate
verb (diːˈfəʊlɪˌeɪt)
to deprive (a plant) of its leaves, as by the use of a herbicide, or (of a plant) to shed its leaves
adjective (diːˈfəʊlɪɪt)
(of a plant) having shed its leaves
Derived forms of defoliate
defoliation, noun defoliator, nounWord Origin for defoliate
C18: from Medieval Latin
dēfoliāre, from Latin
de- +
folium leaf