exfoliation

ex·fo·li·ate   (ěks-fō'lē-āt')    v.   ex·fo·li·at·ed, ex·fo·li·at·ing, ex·fo·li·ates v.   tr. To remove (a layer of bark or skin, for example) in flakes or scales; peel. To cast off in scales, flakes, or splinters. v.   intr. To come off or separate into flakes, scales, or layers. [Latin exfoliāre, exfoliāt-, to strip of leaves : ex-, ex- + folium, leaf; see bhel-3 in Indo-European roots.] ex·fo'li·a'tion n., ex·fo'li·a'tive adj., ex·fo'li·a'tor n.

Main Entry: ex·fo·li·a·tion
Pronunciation: (")eks-"fO-lE-'A-sh&n
Function: noun
: the action or process of exfoliating: as a : the peeling of the horny layer of the skin (as in some skin diseases) b : the shedding of surface components (as cells from internal body surfaces when diseased) c : the shedding of a superficial layer of bone or of a tooth or part of a tooth —ex·fo·li·a·tive /eks-'fO-lE-"At-iv/ adjective

exfoliation ex·fo·li·a·tion (ěks-fō'lē-ā'shən)
n.

1. Detachment and shedding of superficial cells of an epithelium or a tissue surface.

2. Scaling or desquamation of the horny layer of epidermis.

3. Loss of deciduous teeth following physiological loss of root structure.

4. Extrusion of permanent teeth as a result of disease or loss of opposing teeth.

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ex·fo'li·ate' v.

exfoliation

separation of successive thin shells, or spalls, from massive rock such as granite or basalt; it is common in regions that have moderate rainfall. The thickness of individual sheet or plate may be from a few millimetres to a few metres.

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