leaflet
UK: ˈliːflət | US: ˈliːflət
n. a small, flat, or folded sheet of printed material, often used for advertising or information.
n. (botany) a small or young leaf.
leaflet = leaf<leaf> + let<small>
- leaf: From Old English lēaf, meaning "leaf of a plant."
- let: A diminutive suffix, derived from Old French -et or Latin -ellus, indicating smallness or endearment.
Etymology Origin:
The word "leaflet" combines "leaf," referring to the botanical structure, with the diminutive suffix "-let," suggesting something small. Originally used in botany to describe a small leaf, it later evolved to denote small printed sheets (resembling tiny leaves in shape or function). This dual meaning reflects the word's logical progression from nature to human-made objects.
She handed out a leaflet promoting the new café.
The tree sprouted tiny leaflets in early spring.
Protesters distributed leaflets about the environmental campaign.
Each leaflet contained instructions for the event.
The botanist examined the leaflets under a microscope.