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exfoliative

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Exfoliative
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ex⋅fo⋅li⋅ate

  [eks-foh-lee-eyt] verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
Use exfoliative in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to throw off in scales, splinters, etc.
2. to remove the surface of (a bone, the skin, etc.) in scales or laminae.
–verb (used without object)
3. to throw off scales or flakes; peel off in thin fragments: The bark of some trees exfoliates.
4. Geology.
a. to split or swell into a scaly aggregate, as certain minerals when heated.
b. to separate into rudely concentric layers or sheets, as certain rocks during weathering.
5. Medicine/Medical. to separate and come off in scales, as scaling skin or any structure separating in flakes.
Origin:
1605–15; < LL exfoliātus ptp. of exfoliāre to strip off leaves. See ex- 1 , foliate

Related forms:
ex⋅fo⋅li⋅a⋅tive  [eks-foh-lee-ey-tiv, -uh-tiv] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Exfoliative
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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.

  1. To remove (a layer of bark or skin, for example) in flakes or scales; peel.

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

exfoliate 
1612, from L.L. exfoliare "to strip of leaves," from ex- "off" + folium "leaf" (see folio).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·fo·li·ate
Pronunciation: -'fO-lE-"At
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -at·ed; -at·ing
transitivesenses
1 : to cast off in scales or laminae
2 : to remove the surface of in scales or laminae
3 : to shed (teeth) by exfoliationexfoliate intransitive senses
1 : to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells
2 : to come off in thin layers or scales : scale off
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

exfoliative ex·fo·li·a·tive (ěks-fō'lē-ā'tĭv)
adj.
Marked by exfoliation, desquamation, or profuse scaling.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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