| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
leaf (liːf) ![]() | |
| —n , pl leaves | |
| 1. | the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants, usually consisting of a flat green blade attached to the stem directly or by a stalkRelated: foliar, foliate |
| 2. | foliage collectively |
| 3. | in leaf (of shrubs, trees, etc) having a full complement of foliage leaves |
| 4. | one of the sheets of paper in a book |
| 5. | a hinged, sliding, or detachable part, such as an extension to a table |
| 6. | metal in the form of a very thin flexible sheet: gold leaf |
| 7. | a foil or thin strip of metal in a composite material; lamina |
| 8. | short for leaf spring |
| 9. | the inner or outer wall of a cavity wall |
| 10. | a crop that is harvested in the form of leaves |
| 11. | a metal strip forming one of the laminations in a leaf spring |
| 12. | a slang word for marijuana |
| 13. | take a leaf out of someone's book, take a leaf from someone's book to imitate someone, esp in one particular course of action |
| 14. | turn over a new leaf to begin a new and improved course of behaviour |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 15. | to turn (through pages, sheets, etc) cursorily |
| 16. | (intr) (of plants) to produce leaves |
| Related: foliar, foliate | |
| [Old English; related to Gothic laufs, Icelandic lauf] | |
| 'leafless | |
| —adj | |
| 'leaflessness | |
| —n | |
| 'leaflike | |
| —adj | |
leaf (liːf) ![]() | |
| —n , pl leaves | |
| 1. | the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants, usually consisting of a flat green blade attached to the stem directly or by a stalkRelated: foliar, foliate |
| 2. | foliage collectively |
| 3. | in leaf (of shrubs, trees, etc) having a full complement of foliage leaves |
| 4. | one of the sheets of paper in a book |
| 5. | a hinged, sliding, or detachable part, such as an extension to a table |
| 6. | metal in the form of a very thin flexible sheet: gold leaf |
| 7. | a foil or thin strip of metal in a composite material; lamina |
| 8. | short for leaf spring |
| 9. | the inner or outer wall of a cavity wall |
| 10. | a crop that is harvested in the form of leaves |
| 11. | a metal strip forming one of the laminations in a leaf spring |
| 12. | a slang word for marijuana |
| 13. | take a leaf out of someone's book, take a leaf from someone's book to imitate someone, esp in one particular course of action |
| 14. | turn over a new leaf to begin a new and improved course of behaviour |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 15. | to turn (through pages, sheets, etc) cursorily |
| 16. | (intr) (of plants) to produce leaves |
| Related: foliar, foliate | |
| [Old English; related to Gothic laufs, Icelandic lauf] | |
| 'leafless | |
| —adj | |
| 'leaflessness | |
| —n | |
| 'leaflike | |
| —adj | |
leaf (lēf) Pronunciation Key
(click for larger image in new window) 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. |
leaf definition
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of a tree. The olive-leaf mentioned Gen. 8:11. The barren fig-tree had nothing but leaves (Matt. 21:19; Mark 11:13). The oak-leaf is mentioned Isa. 1:30; 6:13. There are numerous allusions to leaves, their flourishing, their decay, and their restoration (Lev. 26:36; Isa. 34:4; Jer. 8:13; Dan. 4:12, 14, 21; Mark 11:13; 13:28). The fresh leaf is a symbol of prosperity (Ps. 1:3; Jer. 17:8; Ezek. 47:12); the faded, of decay (Job 13:25; Isa. 1:30; 64:6; Jer. 8:13). Leaf of a door (1 Kings 6:34), the valve of a folding door. Leaf of a book (Jer. 36:23), perhaps a fold of a roll.