a. and sb. [a. F. exfoliatif, -ive, f. exfolier, ad. L. exfoliāre: see EXFOLIATE v. + -IVE.]

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  A.  adj. ‘Capable of causing, or favourable to, exfoliation’ (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1884).

2

1730–6.  Bailey (folio), Exfoliative Trepan, one proper to scrape, and at the same time to pierce a bone, and so to exfoliate or raise several leaves or flakes one after another.

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1746.  Amyand, in Phil. Trans., XLIV. 196. With the exfoliative Trepan, to make a fair Opening into the medullary Cavity of the Bone.

4

1875.  H. Walton, Dis. Eye, 494. Occasionally an exfoliative effort is seen on the surface of the eye.

5

  B.  sb. Something that produces exfoliation.

6

1676.  Wiseman, Chirurg. Treat., II. vii. 185. Dress the Bone with the milder Exfoliatives, and keep the Ulcer open, till the burnt Bone cast off.

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