foliate
- covered with or having leaves.
- like a leaf, as in shape.
- Also foliated. Architecture.
- Petrology, Mineralogy. foliated(def 2).
- to put forth leaves.
- to split into thin leaflike layers or laminae.
- to shape like a leaf or leaves.
- to decorate with foils or foliage.
- to form into thin sheets.
- to spread over with a thin metallic backing.
- Printing. to number the folios or leaves, as distinguished from pages, of (a manuscript or book).
Origin of foliate
Related Words for foliate
grassy, lush, raw, tender, fresh, verdant, leafy, maturing, supple, unripe, juvenile, infant, growing, budding, recent, immature, flourishing, burgeoning, developing, foliateExamples from the Web for foliate
Historical Examples of foliate
The geometric figures were largely supplanted by foliate forms.
Oriental RugsWalter A. Hawley
These floral or foliate designs are one of the most constant features of this class.
Oriental RugsWalter A. Hawley
It is housed in a tall case of dark-red mahogany veneered on oak, with restrained carving featuring ribands and foliate motifs.
This foliate structure is common to the coral and the plumage of birds, and to how large a part of animate and inanimate nature.
Excursions and PoemsHenry David Thoreau
Foliate designs cover the grisaille lights of the triforium.
How France Built Her CathedralsElizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
foliate
- relating to, possessing, or resembling leaves
- in combinationtrifoliate
- (of certain metamorphic rocks, esp schists) having the constituent minerals arranged in thin leaflike layers
- (tr) to ornament with foliage or with leaf forms such as foils
- to hammer or cut (metal) into thin plates or foil
- (tr) to coat or back (glass, etc) with metal foil
- (tr) to number the leaves of (a book, manuscript, etc)Compare paginate
- (intr) (of plants) to grow leaves
Word Origin for foliate
Word Origin and History for foliate
1620s, from Latin foliatus "leaved, leafy," from folium (see folio).
1660s, "to apply silver leaf," from Latin foliatus "leaved, leafy," from folium (see folio). Meaning "to put forth leaves" is from 1775. Related: Foliated; foliating.