Exfoliate

Pronunciation

Origin

From exfoliāt-, the perfect passive participial stem of the Late Latin exfoliō ("I strip of leaves"), from ex ("out of”, “from") + folium ("leaf"); compare effoliate and the French exfolier.

Full definition of exfoliate

Verb

1. To remove the leaves from a plant.
2. To remove a layer of skin, as in cosmetic preparation.
3. (mineralogy) To split into scales, especially to become converted into scales as the result of heat or decomposition.

Derived terms

• exfoliant
• foliate
• foliation
• exfoliating
• exfoliation