deciduous
UK[dɪˈsɪdʒ.u.əs]US[dɪˈsɪdʒ.u.əs]
adj
(of a tree or shrub) shedding its leaves annually
adj
(of teeth, antlers, etc.) falling out or being shed at a particular stage of growth
Morpheme Breakdown
de
cid
uous
de
down, off
cid
fall
uous
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word deciduous originates from the latin "deciduus," itself derived from "decidere," meaning "to fall down." this verb is a compound of the prefix "de-" (down, off) and the verb "cadere" (to fall). the literal sense of "falling down" was applied in latin to leaves, fruit, and even the shedding of baby teeth. this concrete imagery was preserved as the term entered english in the 17th century, where it became the precise scientific descriptor for plants that seasonally shed their foliage and for body parts that are naturally shed during development.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, off) + cid (fall) + uous (adjective suffix)
- de: a latin prefix meaning "down, off, away".
- cid: from the latin root "cadere" (to fall), appearing here in a combining form.
- uous: a latin-derived adjective-forming suffix meaning "full of" or "characterized by".
Examples
maple and oak trees are classic examples of deciduous trees that display vibrant colors in autumn.
children's deciduous teeth, often called baby teeth, are gradually replaced by permanent ones.
the forest floor in a deciduous woodland is thick with fallen leaves in the fall.