Folium
/ˈfoʊ.li.əm/noun
A leaf; in classical and scientific usage, a leaf or leaf-like structure.
Did you know?Latin folium became a major scientific naming root, and its descendants spread so widely that even the modern idea of a “folio” still carries the image of a folded leaf of paper.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰel-
“to thrive, bloom, or sprout”
Latin
Latin
folium
“leaf; foliage; leaf-shaped object”
Late Latin
Latin
folia
“leaves”
Old French
Old French
foil
“leaf, foliage”
Middle English
English
foil
“leaf; leaflet; sheet of paper”
Modern English
English
folium
“a leaf, especially in botanical or anatomical contexts”