— defoliation , n. — defoliator , n.
v. /dee foh"lee ayt'/ ; adj. /dee foh"lee it, -ayt'/ , v. , defoliated, defoliating , adj.
v.t.
1. to strip (a tree, bush, etc.) of leaves.
2. to destroy or cause widespread loss of leaves in (an area of jungle, forest, etc.), as by using chemical sprays or incendiary bombs, in order to deprive enemy troops or guerrilla forces of concealment.
v.i.
3. to lose leaves.
adj.
4. (of a tree) having lost its leaves, esp. by a natural process.
[ 1785-1795; defoliatus, ptp. of defoliare, equiv. to L de- DE- + foli ( um ) leaf + -atus -ATE 1 ]