defoliate

de·fo·li·ate  (d-fl-t)

v. de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing, de·fo·li·ates

v.tr.

1. To deprive (a plant, tree, or forest) of leaves.

2. To cause the leaves of (a plant, tree, or forest) to fall off, especially by the use of chemicals.

v.intr.

To lose foliage.

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[Late Latin dfolire, dfolit- : Latin d-, de- + Latin folium, leaf; see bhel-³ in Indo-European roots.]

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de·foli·ate (-t) adj.

de·foli·ation n.

de·foli·ator n.

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defoliate

Verb

[-ating, -ated] to deprive (a plant) of its leaves [Latin de- from + folium leaf]

defoliant n
defoliation n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	defoliate - strip the leaves or branches from; "defoliate the trees with pesticides" denudate, denude, bare, strip - lay bare; "denude a forest"
Adj.	1.	defoliate - deprived of leaves defoliated leafless - having no leaves