deciduous
/dɪˈsɪdʒuəs/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsɪdʒuəs/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈsi-jə-wəs -jü-əs/ (ame, mw)
deciduous — adjective
- deciduouspositive
- more deciduouscomparative
- most deciduoussuperlative
1. describing a tree, shrub, or similar plant that drops its leaves for part of the
describing a tree, shrub, or similar plant that drops its leaves for part of the year and later grows a fresh set
Hiro sketched the bare deciduous trees along the river in November.
common noun phrase: deciduous tree(s)
A row of deciduous maples shaded Talia's porch through the summer.
The park looks brighter in winter after its deciduous trees drop their leaves.
Bao chose deciduous shrubs so more sun could reach the garden in January.
Unlike the pines, these deciduous woods turn gold before the first frost.
- leaf-shedding
a plain descriptive phrase for the same idea, but less standard as a dictionary label
- evergreen
describes trees or shrubs that keep their leaves through the year
用法筆記
Most often used for trees, shrubs, forests, and garden planting plans. It is frequently contrasted with 'evergreen' when people describe what a landscape looks like in winter.
常見錯誤
2. describing teeth, antlers, and similar body parts that are shed after a stage of
describing teeth, antlers, and similar body parts that are shed after a stage of growth, with another set later taking their place
The dentist explained that Noah's loose front tooth was still deciduous.
predicative use with tooth/teeth
Young deer lose their deciduous antlers before a stronger set grows.
specialized use with antlers
The X-ray showed a deciduous tooth above the adult tooth underneath.
The puppy's deciduous teeth began falling out when it was four months old.
The vet checked whether the deciduous tooth was blocking the new one.
用法筆記
This sense is most common in dental or biological writing, especially in the phrase 'deciduous teeth.' In everyday speech, many people simply say 'baby teeth' for the same teeth.