exfoliate

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

exfoliate
    v 1: spread by opening the leaves of
    2: cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
    3: remove the surface, in scales or laminae
    4: come off in a very thin piece
    5: grow by producing or unfolding leaves; "plants exfoliate"

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Exfoliate \Ex*fo"li*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Exfoliated}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Exfoliating}.] [L. exfoliare to strip of
   leaves; ex out, from + folium leaf.]
   1. To separate and come off in scales or lamin[ae], as pieces
      of carious bone or of bark.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Min.) To split into scales, especially to become
      converted into scales at the result of heat or
      decomposition.
      [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Exfoliate \Ex*fo"li*ate\ v. t.
   To remove scales, lamin[ae], or splinters from the surface
   of.
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

25 Moby Thesaurus words for "exfoliate":
      arrange in layers, breach, break, burst, bust, check, chip, crack,
      delaminate, desquamate, fissure, flake, flake off, fracture,
      laminate, lay down, lay up, layer, peel, rupture, scale, scale off,
      snap, split, stratify

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