Ex-fō'li-āte, v. i.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. EXFOLIATED; p. pr. & vb. n. EXFOLIATING.] [Lat. exfoliare, exfoliatum, to strip of leaves, from ex, out of, from, and folium, leaf; Fr. exfolier.]

1. (Surg.) To separate and come off in scales, as pieces of carious bone.
2. (Min.) To split into scales, especially to become converted into scales at the surface, as the result of heat or decomposition.