exfoliate

 
Pronunciation: /ɪksˈfəʊlɪeɪt, ɛks-/

verb

[no object]
  • (of a material) be shed from a surface in scales or layers: the bark exfoliates in papery flakes
  • [with object] cause (a surface) to shed material in scales or layers: salt solutions exfoliate rocks on evaporating
  • [with object] wash or rub (a part of the body) with a granular substance to remove dead skin cells: exfoliate your legs to get rid of dead skin
  • [with object] shed (material) in scales or layers: diagnosing cancer from cells exfoliated into the intestine

Derivatives

exfoliation

Pronunciation: /-ˈeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

exfoliative

Pronunciation: /-lɪətɪv/
adjective

exfoliator

noun

Origin:

mid 17th century: from late Latin exfoliat- 'stripped of leaves', from the verb exfoliare, from ex- 'out, from' + folium 'leaf'