li:f n. & v. --n. (pl. leaves) 1 a
each of
several flattened usu.
green structures of a
plant, usu. on
the side of a stem or
branch and the main
organ of
photosynthesis. b
other similar plant structures, e.g. bracts, sepals, and petals (floral leaf). 2 a
foliage regarded collectively. b the
state of having
leaves out (a
tree in leaf). 3 the leaves of
tobacco or
tea. 4 a
single thickness of
paper,
esp. in a
book with each side forming a page. 5 a
very thin sheet of
metal, esp.
gold or
silver. 6 a the hinged
part or
flap of a
door,
shutter,
table, etc. b an
extra section inserted to
extend a table. --v. 1 intr. put
forth leaves. 2 tr. (foll. by through)
turn over the pages of (a book etc.). øleaf-green the
colour of green leaves. leaf
insect any insect of the
family Phylliidae, having a flattened
body leaflike in
appearance. leaf-miner any of
various larvae burrowing in leaves, esp.
moth caterpillars of the family Gracillariidae. leaf-monkey a
langur. leaf-mould soil consisting
chiefly of decayed leaves. leaf
spring a spring
made of strips of metal. leaf-stalk a
petiole. øøleafage n. leafed adj. (also in comb.). leafless adj. leaflessness n. leaflike adj. [OE leaf f. Gmc]
