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Glite Dictionary
phylliform

phylliform

9.9
Shaped like a leaf
  • adjective
  • /ˈfɪlɪˌfɔrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : filiforme
  • The fossil showed a phylliform imprint, suggesting it was once a leaf-bearing plant.

Examples

  • The mineral's phylliform crystals spread out like tiny green leaves.

  • Some insects have evolved phylliform wings to better camouflage themselves among foliage.

  • The leaves are phylliform.

  • Is this leaf phylliform?

  • Some insects have evolved phylliform wings to better camouflage themselves among foliage.

  • The mineral's phylliform crystals spread out like tiny green leaves.

  • The fossil showed a phylliform imprint, suggesting it was once a leaf-bearing plant.

Synonyms

leaflike
vsphylliform
4.3

Having the shape or look of a leaf

focuses specifically on the shape or form rather than general traits
leaf-like
vsphylliform
4.2

Having the shape of a leaf

is limited to having the precise leaf shape or form
foliaceous
vsphylliform
  • Specialized
9.9

Having many leaves or looking like leaves on plants

describes a single form focusing on shape rather than many parts
foliose
vsphylliform
  • Specialized
9.8

Having many leaves or parts that look like leaves

refers to a single leaf shape instead of multiple leaf parts

How Leaf-Like

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

Surface Forms

phylliform positive

Morphology

phylliform = phyll + form (semi-transparent) = phyll + form

The components 'phyll' and 'form' are clear, but the specific meaning of 'leaf-shaped' may not be immediately obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Phylliform comes from the Greek root phyll- meaning 'leaf' and the part -form meaning 'shape'. You can see phyll- in chlorophyll, the green part of leaves, so phylliform means 'having the shape or form of a leaf'.