fig leaf
- noun
- /fɪɡ liːf/
:
hoja de higuera
- She picked a fig leaf to use in her art project.
Examples
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He picked a fig leaf from the tree and examined its shape.
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In ancient art, a fig leaf was sometimes used to cover nudity in sculptures.
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The fig leaves in the garden were broad and provided ample shade.
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The large fig leaf shaded the ground below.
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The chef used a fig leaf to wrap the fish for a unique flavor during cooking.
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She decorated the table with a fig leaf centerpiece to create an earthy atmosphere.
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In spring, the garden was vibrant with large fig leaves shading the delicate flowers.
How Lobed
Surface Forms
Morphology
fig + leaf
The compound combines 'fig' and 'leaf' where 'leaf' readily evokes covering or hiding, so a learner who knows the words could plausibly infer a literal covering function. However, the idiomatic sense of a superficial pretense to conceal embarrassment relies on cultural/biblical background and is not fully predictable from the parts alone, so full understanding is unlikely without prior exposure.
Etymology
Fig leaf is the large leaf of a fig tree; you can picture its wide, lobed shape that people might pick or use for shade, so the phrase simply names that real, big leaf.
