EXFOLIATE

exfoliate. Exfoliate, v. to shell, peel off, scale off as a bone

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Ex‐fo″li‐ate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Exfoliated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Exfoliating (?).] [[L. exfoliare to strip of leaves; ex out, from + folium leaf.]] 1. 1. To separate and come off in scales or laminæ, as pieces of carious bone or of bark.
2. 2. (Min.) To split into scales, especially to become converted into scales at the result of heat or decomposition.