Word Study
fig leaf
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun fig leaf has 2 senses
CIDE DICTIONARY
fig leaf,
- The leaf from a fig tree. [PJC]
- 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 of Adam and Eve, who covered their privates with fig leaves. [PJC]
- Anything used to conceal what is considered embarrassing or indecent. See sense 2. [PJC]
For further exploring for "fig leaf" in Webster Dictionary Online
