exfoliate

Etymology

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

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.

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