Depetalize

/ˌdiːˈpɛtəlaɪz/ verb

Definition

To remove the petals from a flower.

Etymology

From de- (remove) + petalize (from petal, which comes from Latin petalum meaning 'leaf'). A botanical or horticultural term that is quite rare.

Kelly Says

In Victorian times, when people played 'loves me, loves me not' by pulling flower petals, they were literally depetaling flowers—it's probably one of the few times this technical word actually describes something most people do.

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