də̇ˈsijəwəs, dēˈ- adjective
Etymology: Latin deciduus, from decidere to fall off, from de down, away + -cidere (from cadere to fall) — more at de- , chance
1. : falling off or shed at the end of the growing period
deciduous leaves
deciduous fruit
after anthesis
deciduous flower petals
at certain seasons
the deciduous hair of animals
deciduous antlers of deer
or at certain stages of development
deciduous gills
deciduous teeth
— opposed to persistent ; compare caducous , fugacious
2. : having or made up of deciduous parts
a deciduous tree
deciduous dentition
— compare evergreen
3. : of passing interest or importance : ephemeral , transitory
there is much that is deciduous in books — J.R.Lowell
• de·cid·u·ous·ly adverb
• de·cid·u·ous·ness noun -es