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Glite Dictionary
leaf-like

leaf-like

4.2
Having the shape of a leaf
  • adjective
  • /ˈliːfˌlaɪk/
translation icon : similar a una hoja
  • The artist crafted a sculpture featuring leaf-like forms that captured the essence of nature.

Examples

  • We're hoping to rebuild the genes so that plants will produce the proteins on leaf-like structures that surround the kernel, where Fusarium can begin its attack.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The butterfly perched on a leaf-like structure that resembled a green heart.

  • Some orchids have leaf-like petals that attract pollinators with their vivid colors.

Synonyms

phylliform
vsleaf-like
  • Specialized
9.9

Shaped like a leaf

is about general resemblance in form or other shared characteristics
leaflike
vsleaf-like
4.3

Having the shape or look of a leaf

is the hyphenated alternative used in some writings
foliaceous
vsleaf-like
  • Specialized
9.9

Having many leaves or looking like leaves on plants

focuses on resembling characteristics rather than abundance of parts

How Leaf-Like

phyllodial
  • Specialized
9.9
phylliform
  • Specialized
9.9
leaf-like
4.2
foliaceous
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

leaf-like positive

Morphology

leaf-like = leaf (transparent) = leaf + like

The adjective is directly formed from the noun 'leaf' with the productive adjectival suffix '-like', so the meaning 'resembling a leaf' is straightforward.

Etymology

Leaf-like is made from leaf, which means 'the flat part of a plant', and the ending -like, which means 'similar to'. So, leaf-like literally means 'like a leaf' and helps you picture something shaped or coloured to look like a leaf.