exfoliate

ex·fo·li·ate  (ks-fl-t)

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

v.tr.

1. To remove (a layer of bark or skin, for example) in flakes or scales; peel.

2. To cast off in scales, flakes, or splinters.

v.intr.

To come off or separate into flakes, scales, or layers.

---

[Latin exfolire, exfolit-, to strip of leaves : ex-, ex- + folium, leaf; see bhel-³ in Indo-European roots.]

---

ex·foli·ation n.

ex·foli·ative adj.

ex·foli·ator n.

---

exfoliate

Verb

[-ating, -ated]

1. to peel off in scales or layers

2. to remove dead cells from the skin by washing with a granular cosmetic preparation

exfoliation n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	exfoliate - spread by opening the leaves of spread, unfold, open, spread out - spread out or open from a closed or folded state; "open the map"; "spread your arms"
	2.	exfoliate - cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters cast off, shed, throw off, throw away, shake off, throw, cast, drop - get rid of; "he shed his image as a pushy boss"; "shed your clothes"
	3.	exfoliate - remove the surface, in scales or laminae peel off - peel off the outer layer of something
	4.	exfoliate - come off in a very thin piece chip, chip off, break away, break off, come off - break off (a piece from a whole); "Her tooth chipped"
	5.	exfoliate - grow by producing or unfolding leaves; "plants exfoliate" grow - increase in size by natural process; "Corn doesn't grow here"; "In these forests, mushrooms grow under the trees"; "her hair doesn't grow much anymore"