exfoliate

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb spread by opening the leaves of
  2. verb cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
  3. verb remove the surface, in scales or laminae

Etymology

From Late Latin exfoliō (“to strip of leaves”), from ex- (“out of”) + folium (“leaf”); compare effoliate and French exfolier.

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