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leaves

n. · v.
US //ˈɫivz// UK //lˈiːvz// leaves
  1. 1 parts of a plant (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    the green, flat parts of a tree or plant that grow from the branches.

    the plural form of 'leaf', referring to the lateral outgrowths from a plant stem, typically green and functioning as the primary site of photosynthesis.

    Example

    In the autumn, the leaves turn from green to bright red and orange.

    Example

    The forest floor was carpeted with damp, decaying leaves that muffled the sound of our footsteps as we hiked through the valley.

    Pitfall
    The tree has many leafs.
    The tree has many leaves.

    The plural of 'leaf' is irregular and ends in '-ves'.

  2. 2 to go away from (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to go away from a place or person.

    the third-person singular present indicative of 'leave', meaning to depart from a location or person.

    Example

    The train leaves the station at exactly ten o'clock every morning.

    Example

    She leaves for the office before the rest of the family wakes up, ensuring she avoids the worst of the morning rush-hour traffic.

    Usage

    Used with 'he', 'she', 'it', or a singular noun subject.

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  1. 3 to forget or place (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to forget something somewhere, or to let something stay in a certain state.

    the third-person singular present indicative of 'leave', meaning to allow something to remain in a specific place or condition.

    Example

    He always leaves his keys on the kitchen table when he comes home.

    Example

    The chef leaves the sauce to simmer on a low heat while he prepares the rest of the ingredients for the main course.

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