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defoliate. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
defoliate, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
defoliate in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
defoliate you have here. The definition of the word
defoliate will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
defoliate, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From de- + foliate.
Pronunciation
Verb
defoliate (third-person singular simple present defoliates, present participle defoliating, simple past and past participle defoliated)
- (transitive) To remove foliage from (one or more plants), most often with a chemical agent.
2020, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments, Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions, →ISBN, page 2:These leaves are the moth’s only source of food, and if left unchecked, the caterpillars can completely defoliate a single mighty tree.
Derived terms
Translations
to remove foliage from plants
Adjective
defoliate (comparative more defoliate, superlative most defoliate)
- Deprived of leaves; defoliated.
Anagrams
Interlingua
Adjective
defoliate (not comparable)
- leafless
Italian
Etymology 1
Verb
defoliate
- inflection of defoliare:
- second-person plural present indicative/subjunctive
- second-person plural imperative
Etymology 2
Participle
defoliate f pl
- feminine plural of defoliato
Spanish
Verb
defoliate
- second-person singular voseo imperative of defoliar combined with te