defoliate
[ verb dee-foh-lee-eyt; adjective dee-foh-lee-it, -eyt ]
/ verb diˈfoʊ liˌeɪt; adjective diˈfoʊ li ɪt, -ˌeɪt /
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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.
verb (used without object), de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.
to lose leaves.
adjective
(of a tree) having lost its leaves, especially by a natural process.
Nearby words
defocus, defoe, defog, defogger, defoliant, defoliate, deforce, deforciant, deforest, deforestation, deform
Origin of defoliate
Related forms
de·fo·li·a·tion, nounde·fo·li·a·tor, nounun·de·fo·li·at·ed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for defoliate
When neglected for two or three years, they often defoliate large trees.
Soil Culture|J. H. Walden
British Dictionary definitions for defoliate
defoliate
verb (diːˈfəʊlɪˌeɪt)
to deprive (a plant) of its leaves, as by the use of a herbicide, or (of a plant) to shed its leaves
adjective (diːˈfəʊlɪɪt)
(of a plant) having shed its leaves
Derived Forms
defoliation, noundefoliator, nounWord Origin for defoliate
C18: from Medieval Latin dēfoliāre, from Latin de- + folium leaf
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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