leaves

[ leevz ]
/ livz /

noun

plural of leaf.

Definition for leaves (2 of 5)

leaf
[ leef ]
/ lif /

noun, plural leaves [leevz] /livz/.

verb (used without object)

to put forth leaves.
to turn pages, especially quickly (usually followed by through): to leaf through a book.

verb (used with object)

to thumb or turn, as the pages of a book or magazine, in a casual or cursory inspection of the contents.

Origin of leaf

before 900; Middle English leef, lef, Old English lēaf; cognate with Dutch loof, German Laub, Old Norse lauf, Gothic laufs

OTHER WORDS FROM leaf

leaf·less, adjective leaf·like, adjective un·leaf, verb (used with object) un·leaf·like, adjective

Definition for leaves (3 of 5)

leave 1
[ leev ]
/ liv /

verb (used with object), left, leav·ing.

verb (used without object), left, leav·ing.

to go away, depart, or set out: We leave for Europe tomorrow.

Verb Phrases

Origin of leave

1
before 900; Middle English leven, Old English lǣfan (causative formation from base of lāf remainder; see lave2); cognate with Old High German leiban (compare German bleiben to remain), Old Norse leifa, Gothic -laibjan

usage note for leave

Leave is interchangeable with let when followed by alone with the sense “to refrain from annoying or interfering with”: Leave (or Let ) her alone and she will solve the problem easily. When he was left (or let ) alone without interruptions, the boy quickly assembled the apparatus. The use of leave alone for let alone in the sense “not to mention” is nonstandard: There wasn't any standing room, let (not leave ) alone a seat, so I missed the performance.
Other substitutions of leave for let are generally regarded as nonstandard: Let (not Leave ) us sit down and talk this over. Let (not Leave ) her do it her own way. The police wouldn't let (not leave ) us cross the barriers. See also let1.

OTHER WORDS FROM leave

leav·er, noun

Definition for leaves (4 of 5)

leave 2
[ leev ]
/ liv /

noun

permission to do something: to beg leave to go elsewhere.
permission to be absent, as from work or military duty: The firm offers a maternity leave as part of its benefit program.
the time this permission lasts: 30 days' leave.
a parting; departure; farewell: He took his leave before the formal ceremonies began. We took leave of them after dinner.
Metallurgy. draft(def 23).
Bowling. the pin or pins in upright position after the bowl of the first ball.

Origin of leave

2
before 900; Middle English leve, Old English lēaf; akin to believe, furlough, lief

Definition for leaves (5 of 5)

leave 3
[ leev ]
/ liv /

verb (used without object), leaved, leav·ing.

to put forth leaves; leaf.

Origin of leave

3
1250–1300; Middle English leven, derivative of lef leaf

Example sentences from the Web for leaves

British Dictionary definitions for leaves (1 of 5)

leaves
/ (liːvz) /

noun

the plural of leaf

British Dictionary definitions for leaves (2 of 5)

leave 1
/ (liːv) /

verb leaves, leaving or left (mainly tr)

Derived forms of leave

leaver, noun

Word Origin for leave

Old English lǣfan; related to belīfan to be left as a remainder

British Dictionary definitions for leaves (3 of 5)

leave 2
/ (liːv) /

noun

Word Origin for leave

Old English lēaf; related to alӯfan to permit, Middle High German loube permission

British Dictionary definitions for leaves (4 of 5)

leave 3
/ (liːv) /

verb leaves, leaving or leaved

(intr) to produce or grow leaves

British Dictionary definitions for leaves (5 of 5)

leaf
/ (liːf) /

noun plural leaves (liːvz)

verb

(when intr, usually foll by through) to turn (through pages, sheets, etc) cursorily
(intr) (of plants) to produce leaves

Derived forms of leaf

leafless, adjective leaflessness, noun leaflike, adjective

Word Origin for leaf

Old English; related to Gothic laufs, Icelandic lauf

Scientific definitions for leaves

leaf
[ lēf ]

An appendage growing from the stem of a plant. Leaves are extremely variable in form and function according to species. For example, the needles of pine trees, the spines of cacti, and the bright red parts of the poinsettia plant are all leaves modified for different purposes. However, most leaves are flat and green and adapted to capturing sunlight and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. They consist of an outer tissue layer (the epidermis) through which water and gases are exchanged, a spongy inner layer of cells that contain chloroplasts, and veins that supply water and minerals and carry out food. Some leaves are simple, while others are compound, consisting of multiple leaflets. The flat part of the leaf, the blade, is often attached to the stem by a leafstalk.

Idioms and Phrases with leaves (1 of 2)

leaf

Idioms and Phrases with leaves (2 of 2)

leave