fig leaf

1. A stylized representation of the leaf of a fig, used especially to conceal genitals depicted in works of art.

2. Something that serves as a usually insufficient concealment or camouflage: "Many fallen executives are still allowed the fig leaf of 'resignation'" (David Pauly).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

fig leaf

1. (Bible) a leaf from a fig tree

2. (Art Terms) a representation of a leaf, usually a vine leaf rather than an actual fig leaf, used in painting or sculpture to cover the genitals of nude figures

3. a device intended to conceal something regarded as shameful or indecent

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

fig′ leaf`

1. the leaf of a fig tree.

2. a representation of a fig leaf, esp. a cover for the genitalia on a statue or in a painting.

3. something intended to conceal what may be considered improper.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	fig leaf - a leaf from a fig tree foliage, leaf, leafage - the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
	2.	fig leaf - a covering consisting of anything intended to conceal something regarded as shameful covering - an artifact that covers something else (usually to protect or shelter or conceal it)

Translations

viikunanlehti

foglia di fico

Feigenblattvijgenblad

fig leaf

n (lit, fig) → Feigenblatt nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

fig leaf

n → foglia di fico

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

All his finery was gone; he was naked as when he was born, with the exception of a scanty flap that answered the purpose of a fig leaf. His fellow-travellers at first did not know him, but supposed it to be some vagrant Root Digger sneaking into the camp; but when they recognized in this forlorn object their prime wag, She-wee-she, whom they had seen depart in the morning in such high glee and high feather, they could not contain their merriment, but hailed him with loud and repeated peals of laughter.

He replied in the most natural and self-complacent style imaginable, "that he had been among his cousins, who were very poor; they had been delighted to see him; still more delighted with his good fortune; they had taken him to their arms; admired his equipments; one had begged for this; another for that"--in fine, what with the poor devil's inherent heedlessness, and the real generosity of his disposition, his needy cousins had succeeded in stripping him of all his clothes and accoutrements, excepting the fig leaf with which he had returned to camp.

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Holding up this fig leaf of the recent referendum, "the will of the people" should be dropped and the Government should run the country properly and stay in the Economic Union because it is in UK and Northern Ireland's short and longterm interests.

It's time to revoke Brexit and rejoin EU

"An affront to democracy" is in fact a fig leaf for the absolute certainty the original decision to leave would be revoked.

Why second vote has precedence

Budget cuts could mean Ofsted ends up being regarded as irrelevant or a "fig leaf " for covering up official failures, the committee of MPs found.

Ofsted fails to help parents with schools

The FBR has used the fig leaf of 'the national interest' in making its decision, and one might wonder to what extent a similar fig leaf has been applied to the thousands that duck the tax radar but are indigenous.

Sensitive taxes

Diet and treatment plan of normal and Hyperglycemic rats Groups Group I Group II Group III Group IV Diabetic rats Normal rats Diet High High High Normal sucrose sucrose sucrose Treatments No Insulin+ Fig Fig leaf Fig leaf treatment leaf tea tea tea Table 2.

Development and Characterisation of Fig {Ficus carica) Leaves Tea with Special Reference to Hypoglycemic Effect

In this study copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared well by using fig leaf extract method.

Green Synthesis and Structural Characterisation of CuO Nanoparticles Prepared by Using Fig Leaves Extract

"And the non-democratic forces always try to throw a fig leaf of the veneer of fairyplay," continued."No, I don't accept that.

PML-N, JI, ANP join hands in KP ahead of Senate polls

But here was an example of charity as fig leaf, people acting like utter dolts and justifying it by pointing to the money going to sick kids.

Presidents Club scandal redefines 'wretched dirtbags'