Leaf
/liːf/noun
A flat, usually green organ of a plant that grows from a stem or branch and performs photosynthesis.
Did you know?English leaf is from Proto-Germanic *laubaz, the same ancient root behind German Laub and the idea of foliage as something that can be stripped, gathered, or used in ritual coverings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leubʰ-
“to peel off, break away, be loose”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laubaz
“leaf, foliage”
Old English
OE
lēaf
“leaf; foliage”
Middle English
ME
leef
“leaf, foliage”
Modern English
English
leaf
“a plant organ, usually flat and green”