exfoliate

/ɛkˌsfoʊliˈeɪt/

/ɛksˈfʌʊlieɪt/

Other forms: exfoliating; exfoliated; exfoliates

Definitions of exfoliate

1. verb

   remove the surface, in scales or laminae
   type of:

   peel off

   peel off the outer layer of something
2. verb

   cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
   type of:

   cast, cast off, drop, shake off, shed, throw, throw away, throw off

   get rid of
3. verb

   come off in a very thin piece
   type of:

   break away, break off, chip, chip off, come off

   break off (a piece from a whole)
4. verb

   grow by producing or unfolding leaves
   “plants exfoliate”

   type of:

   grow

   increase in size by natural process
5. verb

   spread by opening the leaves of
   type of:

   open, spread, spread out, unfold

   spread out or open from a closed or folded state