deciduous

de·cid·u·ous

adj \di-ˈsi-jə-wəs, -jü-əs\

Definition of DECIDUOUS

1

: falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle <deciduous leaves> <deciduous scales>

2

a : having deciduous parts <maples, birches, and other deciduous trees> b : having the dominant plants deciduous <a deciduous forest>

3

: ephemeral

— de·cid·u·ous·ness noun

Examples of DECIDUOUS

1. the bare branches of a deciduous tree in winter
2. <he chose not to fret about the deciduous discomforts of his existence>

Origin of DECIDUOUS

Latin deciduus, from decidere to fall off, from de- + cadere to fall — more at chance

First Known Use: 1688

Related to DECIDUOUS

Synonyms: brief, momentary, ephemeral, evanescent, flash, fleeting, fugacious, fugitive, impermanent, passing, short-lived, temporary, transient, transitory

Antonyms: ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, lasting, long-lived, permanent, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

Related Words: little, short, shortish; acting, interim, provisional, short-term

Near Antonyms: lifelong; continuing, durable, persistent; imperishable, indefectible, indestructible

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Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem