Leaf (n)  foliage on a plant or tree; page of book or paper; thin piece of metal

Leave (v)  allow to remain; depart from

Today’s words are a bit tricky.  Leaf has a number of different meanings which can be puzzling.  The most common, especially for this time of year, is in reference to the beautiful, color-changing foliage on trees.  How stunning is the artwork of the season?  Slowly, we watch the shades of green deepen into intense orange and bronze.  It truly is a miracle to behold!

Leaf also refers to an extension of a table, a thin piece of metal such as gold leaf or a page in a book.  It may also indicate the turning of pages, not just the piece of paper composing the page. Not confusing at all – right?  But wait…there’s more.

The plural of leaf is leaves.  I understand it can also be written as leafs, however, it is more common to change the f into a ves.  This is a standard in the English language.  I started doing a mental inventory of other words that follow the same rule.  Any come to mind for you?

Let’s continue.  Leaves is the plural of leaf, i.e. a tree has many leaves.  Leave then has a number of further definitions, two of which seem to be opposites of each other.  If I’m going to leave the room, I am departing from the space.  However, if I leave you behind, I am allowing you to remain – what?  This hurts my brain just a little.  

Just when I think I am finished with the Word Well Wednesday feature, another one of these twisted little puzzlers comes to mind.  The funny thing is, once uncovered, the most recent word gem will suddenly continue to pop up over and over again in the days that follow.  I’ll leave you with that thought to ponder – you’re welcome!