ex·fo·li·ate ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ks-fl-t)
v. ex·fo·li·at·ed, ex·fo·li·at·ing, ex·fo·li·ates
v. tr.
To remove (a layer of bark or skin, for example) in flakes or scales; peel.
To cast off in scales, flakes, or splinters.
v. intr.
To come off or separate into flakes, scales, or layers.
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[Latin exfolire, exfolit-, to strip of leaves : ex-, ex- + folium, leaf; see bhel-3 in Indo-European Roots.]
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ex·foli·ation n.
ex·foli·ative adj.
ex·foli·ator n.
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Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
exfoliating
Exfoliate \Ex*fo"li*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Exfoliated; p. pr. & vb. n. Exfoliating.] [L. exfoliare to strip of leaves; ex out, from + folium leaf.] 1. To separate and come off in scales or lamin[ae], as pieces of carious bone or of bark.
2. (Min.) To split into scales, especially to become converted into scales at the result of heat or decomposition