defoliate

[ verb dee-foh-lee-eyt; adjective dee-foh-lee-it, -eyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

, de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.

defoliate

to deprive (a plant) of its leaves, as by the use of a herbicide, or (of a plant) to shed its leaves

1785–1795; < Medieval Latin dēfoliātus, past participle of dēfoliāre, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + foli ( um ) leaf + -ātus -ate ¹

C18: from Medieval Latin dēfoliāre, from Latin de- + folium leaf

When neglected for two or three years, they often defoliate large trees.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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