New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
fig leaf — 1. The leaf from a fig tree. [PJC] 2. An ornamental design shaped like the leaf of a fig tree, used in architecture; also, a design shaped like a fig leaf to cover genitalia in sculpture or paintings in reference to the biblical story in Genesis… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
fig leaf — fig leaves 1) N COUNT A fig leaf is a large leaf which comes from the fig tree. A fig leaf is sometimes used in painting and sculpture to cover the genitals of a naked body. 2) N COUNT: usu with supp (disapproval) People sometimes refer… … English dictionary
Fig leaf — Fig Fig (f[i^]g), n. [F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr. figa, fr. L. ficus fig tree, fig. Cf. {Fico}.] 1. (Bot.) A small fruit tree ({Ficus Carica}) with large leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably native from Syria… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
fig leaf — fig ,leaf noun count 1. ) a leaf from a FIG tree. You often see a fig leaf covering the sex organs of people in paintings. 2. ) something that hides another thing that is considered morally wrong … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
fig leaf — fig′ leaf n. 1) pln the leaf of a fig tree 2) fia a representation of a fig leaf, esp. a cover for the genitalia on a statue or in a painting 3) something intended to conceal what may be considered improper … From formal English to slang
fig leaf — n. 1. a leaf of a fig tree 2. a representation of such a leaf used, as in sculpture, to conceal the genitals of a nude 3. anything intended to conceal … English World dictionary
fig leaf — ► NOUN ▪ a leaf of a fig tree used to conceal the genitals in paintings and sculpture. ORIGIN with reference to the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible, who made clothes out of fig leaves after becoming aware of their nakedness … English terms dictionary
fig leaf — n the large leaf of the fig tree, sometimes shown in paintings as covering people s sex organs … Dictionary of contemporary English
Fig leaf — A fig leaf is the covering up of an act or an object that is embarrassing or disagreeable. The term is a metaphorical reference to the Biblical Book of Genesis, in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nakedness after eating the fruit … Wikipedia
fig leaf — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms fig leaf : singular fig leaf plural fig leaves 1) a leaf from a fig tree. You often see a fig leaf covering the sex organs of people in paintings. 2) something that hides another thing that is considered… … English dictionary
fig leaf — 1. the leaf of a fig tree. 2. a representation of a fig leaf, used as an ornament in architecture, as a cover for the genitalia on a statue or in a painting, etc. 3. something intended to conceal what may be considered indecorous or indecent: to… … Universalium
