defoliator

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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

defoliator - an insect that strips the leaves from plants insect - small air-breathing arthropod