Leaf

lēf, n. one of the lateral organs developed from the stem or axis of the plant below its growing-point: anything beaten thin like a leaf: two pages of a book: one side of a window-shutter, .:— pl. Leaves (lēvz).— v.i. to shoot out or produce leaves:— pr.p. leaf′ing; pa.p. leafed.— ns. Leaf′age , leaves collectively: abundance of leaves: season of leaves or leafing; Leaf′-bridge , a form of drawbridge in which the rising leaf or leaves swing vertically on hinges; Leaf′-bud , a bud producing a stem with leaves only; Leaf′ine ; Leaf′-in′sect , an orthopterous insect of family Phasmidæ , the wing-covers like leaves.— adj. Leaf′le , destitute of leaves.— ns. Leaf′let , a little leaf, a tract; Leaf′-met′al , metal, especially alloys imitating gold and silver, in very thin leaves, for decoration; Leaf′-mould , earth formed from decayed leaves, used as a soil for plants; Leaf′-stalk , the petiole supporting the leaf.— adj. Leaf′y , full of leaves.— Take a leaf out of one's book (see Book ); Turn over a new leaf , to take up a new and better course of conduct. [A.S. leáf ; Ger. laub , Dut. loof , a leaf.]