strip-leaf

A worker carefully sorts strip-leaf tobacco on a wooden table.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Tobacco leaf with stem removed: "strip-leaf" refers to a tobacco leaf that has had its central stem (or midrib) removed, leaving only the blade. This processed form is commonly used in cigarette manufacturing or for chewing tobacco.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The factory processed the strip-leaf into fine-cut tobacco for rolling. (The tobacco leaves had their stems removed before being shredded.)
  • He bought a bundle of strip-leaf for his pipe, as it burns more evenly. (The stems were removed to improve the smoking quality.)

Advanced Usage

• "Strip-leaf grading": the classification of tobacco leaves based on quality after stem removal.
  • The auctioneer inspected the strip-leaf for color and texture before bidding. (The leaves were evaluated for their commercial value.)

Variants and Related Words

• Strip (verb): to remove the stem or outer covering from something.
  • Workers strip the leaves from the stalks before drying. (They remove the leaves.)
• Leaf (noun): a flat, green part of a plant.
  • The tobacco leaf is large and broad. (The plant's foliage.)

Synonyms

• Threshed leaf: tobacco leaf from which the stem has been mechanically removed.
• Stemmed leaf: a leaf with its central vein taken out.

Phrasal Verbs

• Strip off: to remove something completely.
  • The machine strips off the stems from the leaves in seconds. (It takes away the stems.)

Related Idioms

• No direct idioms: "strip-leaf" is a technical term with no common idiomatic usage.