leaf
UK: liːf | US: liːf
n. a flattened structure of a plant, typically green and blade-like, that is attached to a stem and is the primary organ of photosynthesis
n. a single sheet of paper in a book or stack
n. (figuratively) a thin layer or sheet, such as gold leaf
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The word "leaf" traces back to Old English lēaf, which directly referred to the foliage of plants. It shares roots with other Germanic languages (e.g., German Laub, Dutch loof), all deriving from the Proto-Germanic laubaz. This term likely originated from the Proto-Indo-European root leub(h)-, meaning "to peel, break off," reflecting the idea of something that grows or separates from a stem. Over time, the meaning expanded metaphorically to include paper sheets (from the resemblance to plant leaves) and thin layers of material.
The maple tree's leaves turn red in autumn.
She carefully turned the leaf of the ancient manuscript.
The artisan applied gold leaf to the frame.
A leaf fell onto the path, rustling in the wind.
The recipe is written on the last leaf of my notebook.