Taken from multiple sources:
hmm, nice try but anybody with sense could see through your feeble attempt. just following the context of the topic, we know that only to deprive (a
plant, tree, or forest) of leaves
but let you tell it, this is what this topic was about--> to destroy or cause a widespread loss of leaves (an area of jungle, forest, etc.) as by using chemical sprays or incendiary bombs, in order to deprive enemy troops or guerrilla forces of concealment. am i right? because you did highlight it.
adjective 4. (of a tree) having lost its leaves, especially by a natural process (e.g. Autumn, when trees loose all of their leaves) was just a poor example, because let's face it, most people grow shrubs, not trees. even if that was the case, who grows a plant to the point that it loses all its leaves naturally? oh i get it, you do. am i right?
i think you you meant this one of all, because it fits.
to strip (a tree, bush, etc.) of leaves
am i right? ok lets see.
[TD="align: left"]
strip[SUP] 1[/SUP]
(str
p)
v.
stripped
,
strip·ping
,
strips
v.
tr.
1.
a.
To remove clothing or covering from.
b.
To deprive of (clothing or covering).
2.
To deprive of honors, rank, office, privileges, or possessions; divest.
3.
a.
To remove all excess detail from; reduce to essentials.
b.
To remove equipment, furnishings, or supplementary parts or attachments from.
4.
To clear of a natural covering or growth; make bare:
strip a field.
5.
To remove an exterior coating, as of paint or varnish, from:
stripped and refinished the old chest of drawers.
6.
To remove the leaves from the stalks of. Used especially of tobacco.
7.
To dismantle (a firearm, for example) piece by piece.
8.
To damage or break the threads of (a screw, for example) or the teeth of (a gear).
9.
To press the last drops of milk from (a cow or goat, for example) at the end of milking.
10.
To rob of wealth or property; plunder or despoil.
11.
To mount (a photographic positive or negative) on paper to be used in making a printing plate.[/TD]
take a look at 3.a. it fits the context of the topic, don't it.
look at #6, it says "to remove leaves from the stalks of" but doesn't say remove all or most. you see where i am coming from?
it seems as if you and the rest want to take the word defoliate, put it in a box and make it seem like it only has 1 meaning. just because you'll have a poor interpretation of the word, doesn't mean everyone else does. there are multiple levels to defoliation, just like with topping, lst'ing, pinching or any form of training. if you applying too much at one time, from anything or any form of training, you will see, more often than not, negative effects.