foliate

American  

[foh-lee-it, -eyt, foh-lee-eyt] / ˈfoʊ li ɪt, -ˌeɪt, ˈfoʊ liˌeɪt /

adjective

1. covered with or having leaves.

2. like a leaf, as in shape.

3. Architecture. Also

   1. ornamented with or composed of foil.

      foliate tracery.

   2. ornamented with representations of foliage.

      a foliate capital.

4. Petrology, Mineralogy. foliated.

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verb (used without object)

foliated, foliating

1. to put forth leaves.

2. to split into thin leaflike layers or laminae.

verb (used with object)

foliated, foliating

1. to shape like a leaf or leaves.

2. to decorate with foils or foliage.

3. to form into thin sheets.

4. to spread over with a thin metallic backing.

5. Printing. to number the folios or leaves, as distinguished from pages, of (a manuscript or book).

foliate British  

adjective

1. 1. relating to, possessing, or resembling leaves

   2. in combination

      trifoliate

2. (of certain metamorphic rocks, esp schists) having the constituent minerals arranged in thin leaflike layers

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verb

1. (tr) to ornament with foliage or with leaf forms such as foils

2. to hammer or cut (metal) into thin plates or foil

3. (tr) to coat or back (glass, etc) with metal foil

4. (tr) to number the leaves of (a book, manuscript, etc) Compare paginate

5. (intr) (of plants) to grow leaves

Other Word Forms

• subfoliate
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of foliate

First recorded in 1620–30, foliate is from the Latin word foliātus leafy. See folium, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Foliate papillae contain about 1,300 taste buds within their folds.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Related Words

• fresh
• grassy
• leafy
• lush
• raw
• tender
• verdant