deciduous[dē sij′o̵̅o̅ əs]
- The definition of deciduous is something that sheds after a period of time, such as a tree or a shrub that sheds its leaves annually or the milk teeth of a mammal that are shed as the mammal grows.
A tree that loses its leaves annually is an example of a deciduous tree.
This deciduous tree has lost its leaves.
- falling off or out at a certain season or stage of growth, as some leaves, antlers, insect wings, or milk teeth
- shedding leaves annually
- short-lived; temporary
Origin of deciduousClassical Latin deciduus ; from decidere, to fall off ; from de-, off, down + cadere, to fall: see case
- Shedding or losing foliage at the end of the growing season: deciduous trees.
- Falling off or shed at a specific season or stage of growth: deciduous antlers; deciduous leaves.
- Of or relating to the primary teeth.
Origin of deciduousFrom Latin dēciduus, from dēcidere, to fall off : dē-, de- + cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots.
top: with foliage in summer
bottom: without foliage in winter
From Latin dēciduus (“falling down or off”), from dēcidō (“fall down”)