de·cid·u·ous – [dih-sij-oo-uhs]
1. shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
2. falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc., as leaves, horns, or teeth.
3. not permanent; transitory.
1650–60; < Latin dēciduus tending to fall, falling, equivalent to dēcid ( ere ) to fall off, down ( dē- de- + -cidere, combining form of cadere to fall) + -uus deverbal adj. suffix; see -ous