[leef] 
noun, plural leaves [leevz] , verb | 1. | one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant. |
| 2. | any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem. |
| 3. | a petal: a rose leaf. |
| 4. | leaves collectively; foliage. |
| 5. | Bibliography. a unit generally comprising two printed, blank, or illustrated pages of a book, one on each side. |
| 6. | a thin sheet of metal: silver leaf. |
| 7. | a lamina or layer. |
| 8. | a sliding, hinged, or detachable flat part, as of a door or tabletop. |
| 9. | a section of a drawbridge. |
| 10. | a single strip of metal in a leaf spring. |
| 11. | a tooth of a small gear wheel, as of a pinion. |
| 12. | leaf fat. |
| 13. | Textiles. shaft (def. 14). |
| 14. | to put forth leaves. |
| 15. | to turn pages, esp. quickly (usually fol. by through): to leaf through a book. |
| 16. | to thumb or turn, as the pages of a book or magazine, in a casual or cursory inspection of the contents. |
| 17. | in leaf, covered with foliage; having leaves: the pale green tint of the woods newly in leaf. |
| 18. | take a leaf out of or from someone's book, to follow someone's example; imitate: Some countries that took a leaf out of American industry's book are now doing very well for themselves. |
| 19. | turn over a new leaf, to begin anew; make a fresh start: Every New Year's we make resolutions to turn over a new leaf. |
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. |