The AI-powered English dictionary
third-person singular simple present defoliates, present participle defoliating, simple past and past participle defoliated
(transitive) To remove foliage from (one or more plants), most often with a chemical agent. quotations examples
These leaves are the moth’s only source of food, and if left unchecked, the caterpillars can completely defoliate a single mighty tree.
2020, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments, Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions, page 2
comparative more defoliate, superlative most defoliate
Deprived of leaves; defoliated. examples