How Do You Spell DEFOLIATE?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈə͡ʊlɪˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "defoliate" is not intuitive, as the "i" comes before the "o," and there is an "e" at the end. However, when broken down using IPA phonetic transcription, the spelling makes more sense. The first syllable is pronounced "dee" with a long "e" sound, followed by "FOH-lee-ate," with the stress on the second syllable. The "ia" vowel combination in the third syllable produces an "ee" sound, which is why there is an "i" before the "o." The final "e" is silent.

DEFOLIATE Meaning and Definition

1. Defoliate is a verb that refers to the process of causing or facilitating the removal of leaves from trees, plants, or crops. Derived from the Latin word "folium" meaning leaf, defoliate involves the deliberate or unintentional stripping or shedding of leaves, typically done as a result of natural occurrences or human intervention.

   In botany, defoliation can be a natural occurrence as trees shed their leaves as part of their seasonal life cycle. However, it can also be induced artificially as a means of stimulating growth, controlling pests, or managing certain plant diseases. For instance, farmers may defoliate a crop by removing the leaves in order to expose the produce to sunlight, enhancing the growth and ripening process.

   The process of defoliation can be achieved through various means, including manual removal of leaves, chemical spraying, or through the activity of insects or animals. Chemical defoliants are sometimes employed, which are herbicides specifically formulated to accelerate the leaf drop. These chemicals typically work by disrupting the normal growth hormones responsible for leaf development and maintenance.

   While defoliation can have positive effects on certain plants or crops, it can also have detrimental impacts if done excessively or unnecessarily. Excessive defoliation can weaken plants and hinder photosynthesis, reducing their ability to produce energy and compromising their overall health. Therefore, careful consideration and proper expertise is required when implementing defoliation practices to ensure the intended benefits without harming the plants or environment.

Common Misspellings for DEFOLIATE

• deliate
• defeniate
• decolate
• definiate
• desolite
• deficiate
• defolyate
• debuliate
• emoliate
• defoliante
• defuliate
• denotiate
• despoliate
• desolliate

Etymology of DEFOLIATE

The word defoliate originated from the Latin term defoliatus, which is the past participle of the verb defoliare. Defoliare is a combination of the prefix de- meaning from or away, and the word folium meaning leaf. Therefore, defoliate literally means to remove leaves or to cause leaves to fall off.

Similar spelling words for DEFOLIATE

• debility,
• debilitated,
• depilate,
• defoliation,
• defoliator,
• debilitative,
• deflate,
• debolt,
• deflated,
• defoliated,
• debilitate.

Conjugate verb Defoliate

CONDITIONAL

I would defoliate

you would defoliate

he/she/it would defoliate

we would defoliate

they would defoliate

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be defoliating

you would be defoliating

he/she/it would be defoliating

we would be defoliating

they would be defoliating

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have defoliate

you would have defoliate

he/she/it would have defoliate

we would have defoliate

they would have defoliate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been defoliating

you would have been defoliating

he/she/it would have been defoliating

we would have been defoliating

they would have been defoliating

FUTURE

I will defoliate

you will defoliate

he/she/it will defoliate

we will defoliate

they will defoliate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be defoliating

you will be defoliating

he/she/it will be defoliating

we will be defoliating

they will be defoliating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have defoliated

you will have defoliated

he/she/it will have defoliated

we will have defoliated

they will have defoliated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been defoliating

you will have been defoliating

he/she/it will have been defoliating

we will have been defoliating

they will have been defoliating

IMPERATIVE

you defoliate

we let´s defoliate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to defoliate

PAST

I defoliated

you defoliated

he/she/it defoliated

we defoliated

they defoliated

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was defoliating

you were defoliating

he/she/it was defoliating

we were defoliating

they were defoliating

PAST PARTICIPLE

defoliated

PAST PERFECT

I had defoliated

you had defoliated

he/she/it had defoliated

we had defoliated

they had defoliated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been defoliating

you had been defoliating

he/she/it had been defoliating

we had been defoliating

they had been defoliating

PRESENT

I defoliate

you defoliate

he/she/it defoliates

we defoliate

they defoliate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am defoliating

you are defoliating

he/she/it is defoliating

we are defoliating

they are defoliating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

defoliating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have defoliated

you have defoliated

he/she/it has defoliated

we have defoliated

they have defoliated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been defoliating

you have been defoliating

he/she/it has been defoliating

we have been defoliating

they have been defoliating

I would have defoliated

we would have defoliated

you would have defoliated

he/she/it would have defoliated

they would have defoliated