deciduous Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective (of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
  2. adjective satellite (of teeth, antlers, etc.) being shed at the end of a period of growth
    • deciduous teeth

WordNet

De*cid"u*ous adjective
Etymology
L. deciduus, fr. decdere to fall off; de- + cadere to fall. See Chance.
Definitions
  1. (Biol.) Falling off, or subject to fall or be shed, at a certain season, or a certain stage or interval of growth, as leaves (except of evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the deciduous membrane.

Webster 1913