exfoliate
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ex·fo·li·ate
(ĕks-fō′lē-āt′)v. ex·fo·li·at·ed, ex·fo·li·at·ing, ex·fo·li·ates
v.tr.
1. To remove (a layer of bark or skin, for example) in flakes or scales; peel.
2. To cast off in scales, flakes, or splinters.
v.intr.
To come off or separate into flakes, scales, or layers.
[Latin exfoliāre, exfoliāt-, to strip of leaves : ex-, ex- + folium, leaf; see bhel- in Indo-European roots.]
ex·fo′li·a′tion n.
ex·fo′li·a′tive adj.
ex·fo′li·a′tor n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
exfoliate
(ɛksˈfəʊlɪˌeɪt)vb
1. (Biology) (tr) to wash (a part of the body) with a granular cosmetic preparation in order to remove dead cells from the skin's surface
2. (Biology) (of bark, skin, etc) to peel off in (layers, flakes, or scales)
3. (Geological Science) (intr) (of rocks or minerals) to shed the thin outermost layer because of weathering or heating
4. (Minerals) (of some minerals, esp mica) to split or cause to split into thin flakes: a factory to exfoliate vermiculite.
[C17: from Late Latin exfoliāre to strip off leaves, from Latin folium leaf]
exˌfoliˈation n
exˈfoliative adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ex•fo•li•ate
(ɛksˈfoʊ liˌeɪt)v. -at•ed, -at•ing. v.t.
1. to throw off in scales, splinters, etc.
2. to remove the surface of (a bone, the skin, etc.) in scales or laminae.
v.i. 3. to peel off in thin fragments.
4.
a. to split or swell into a scaly aggregate, as certain minerals when heated.
b. to separate into rudely concentric layers or sheets.
[1605–15; < Late Latin exfoliātus, past participle of exfoliāre to strip of leaves]
ex•fo`li•a′tion, n.
ex•fo′li•a`tive (-ˌeɪ tɪv, -ə tɪv) adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
exfoliate
Past participle: exfoliated
Gerund: exfoliating
| Imperative |
|---|
| exfoliate |
| exfoliate |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Verb | 1. | exfoliate - spread by opening the leaves of spread, unfold, open, spread out - spread out or open from a closed or folded state; "open the map"; "spread your arms" |
| 2. | exfoliate - cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters | |
| 3. | exfoliate - remove the surface, in scales or laminae peel off - peel off the outer layer of something | |
| 4. | exfoliate - come off in a very thin piece chip, chip off, break away, break off, come off - break off (a piece from a whole); "Her tooth chipped" | |
| 5. | exfoliate - grow by producing or unfolding leaves; "plants exfoliate" grow - increase in size by natural process; "Corn doesn't grow here"; "In these forests, mushrooms grow under the trees"; "her hair doesn't grow much anymore" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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