exfoliate

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ex·fo·li·ate / eksˈfōlēˌāt/ • v. [intr.] (of a material) come apart or be shed from a surface in scales or layers: the bark exfoliates in papery flakes. ∎  [tr.] cause to do this: salt solutions exfoliate rocks on evaporating. ∎  [tr.] wash or rub (a part of the body) with a granular substance to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin: exfoliate your legs to get rid of dead skin. ∎  [tr.] (often be exfoliated) shed (material) in scales or layers.DERIVATIVES: ex·fo·li·a·tion n.ex·fo·li·a·tive / -ˌātiv/ adj.ex·fo·li·a·tor / -ˌātər/ n.

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