scale leaf

American  

noun

1. a scalelike leaf, as a bud scale or certain bracts.

---

scale leaf British  

noun

1. a modified leaf, often small and membranous, protecting buds, etc

2. any of the leaves of some conifers, such as cypresses, that are small and tightly pressed to the stem

---

Etymology

Origin of scale leaf

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Yet its scale leaves a lot of room for error.

From Washington Post

All the information Moaiandin received was publicly available, but the ability to link the profiles to mobile numbers on such a large scale leaves the system open to abuse.

From The Guardian

The protective scale leaves fall when they are no longer needed.

From Project Gutenberg

Plants without green color; leafless or with scale leaves only — 2. 1b.

From Project Gutenberg

The stems are closely spreading on the ground, rooting sometimes at the lower nodes, branching freely, profusely leafy at the base, covered by a few scale leaves, and 2 to 12 inches long.

From Project Gutenberg