EXFOLIATE

verb (-ated; -ating) see: blade Date: 1612 transitive verb to cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters, to remove the surface of in scales or laminae, to spread or extend by or as if by opening out leaves, intransitive verb to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells, to come off in thin layers or scales, to grow by or as if by producing or unfolding leaves, exfoliation noun exfoliative adjective