fig leaf

• fig-leaf

fig leaf (plural fig leaves)

1. A leaf of the fig plant.
2. A representation of leaf of a fig plant used to cover the genitals of a nude figure in a work of art (alluding to Genesis iii 7, in which Adam and Eve use fig leaves to hide their nakedness).
3. (figuratively) Anything used to conceal something undesirable or that one does not want to be discovered.

• figleaf
• fig-leaved
• fig-leafed