foliate

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having, resembling, or arranged in thin leaflike layers

   Under pressure, the mineral developed a foliate structure that split into thin sheets.

2. 2
   adj

   decorated with leaves or leaf-shaped patterns

   The arch was framed by a foliate border carved in stone.

3. 3
   verb

   to produce leaves or divide into thin layers

   The young tree began to foliate as spring temperatures rose.

From Latin foliatus ("provided with leaves"), from folium ("leaf; sheet") + the adjectival suffix -atus. The geological sense compares thin mineral layers to leaves or sheets of paper.

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