exfoliation

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.

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

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ex·foli·ation n.

ex·foli·ative adj.

ex·foli·ator n.

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exfoliation  (ks-fl-shn)

The process in which layers of tissue peel or are peeled off an organism, such as the distinctive ways in which bark peels off a tree in strips or flakes.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	exfoliation - the peeling off in flakes or scales of bark or dead skin; "exfoliation is increased by sunburn" organic phenomenon - (biology) a natural phenomenon involving living plants and animals
	2.	exfoliation - a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin scurf, scale chip, fleck, scrap, bit, flake - a small fragment of something broken off from the whole; "a bit of rock caught him in the eye" dander - small scales from animal skins or hair or bird feathers that can cause allergic reactions in some people dandruff - loose scales shed from the scalp; "I could see the dandruff on her shoulders"