foliation

noun

fo·​li·​a·​tion ˌfō-lē-ˈā-shən 

1

a

: the process of forming into a leaf

b

: the state of being in leaf

c

: vernation

2

: the numbering of the leaves of a manuscript or early printed book

3

a

: ornamentation with foliage

b

: a decoration resembling a leaf

4

: the enrichment of an opening by foils

5

: foliated texture

Examples of foliation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The structure of the dome is not immediately apparent – the rock up there is fairly homogenous with no obvious consistent flow foliation or banding. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2010

But because according to general relativity spacetime is curved, there is no standard way to extend a local foliation to the entire universe. —The Editors, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1a