— leafless , adj. — leaflike , adj.
/leef/ , n. , pl. leaves /leevz/ , v.
n.
1. one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant.
2. any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem.
3. a petal: a rose leaf.
4. leaves collectively; foliage.
5. Bibliog. a unit generally comprising two printed, blank, or illustrated pages of a book, one on each side.
6. a thin sheet of metal: silver leaf.
7. a lamina or layer.
8. a sliding, hinged, or detachable flat part, as of a door or tabletop.
9. a section of a drawbridge.
10. a single strip of metal in a leaf spring.
11. a tooth of a small gear wheel, as of a pinion.
12. See leaf fat .
13. Textiles. shaft (def. 14).
14. in leaf , covered with foliage; having leaves: the pale green tint of the woods newly in leaf.
15. take a leaf out of or from someone's book , to follow someone's example; imitate: Some countries that took a leaf out of American industry's book are now doing very well for themselves.
16. turn over a new leaf , to begin anew; make a fresh start: Every New Year's we make resolutions to turn over a new leaf.
v.i.
17. to put forth leaves.
18. to turn pages, esp. quickly (usually fol. by through ): to leaf through a book.
v.t.
19. to thumb or turn, as the pages of a book or magazine, in a casual or cursory inspection of the contents.
[ bef. 900; ME leef, lef, OE leaf; c. D loof, G Laub, ON lauf, Goth laufs ]