Lehullás

Lehullás is a Hungarian term that translates to "falling off" or "shedding" in English. It most commonly refers to the natural shedding of leaves from deciduous trees and shrubs, a process that occurs annually in temperate climates. This shedding is a response to environmental changes, primarily decreasing temperatures and sunlight, and serves to conserve water and energy during the winter months. The vibrant colors of autumn leaves are a byproduct of this process as chlorophyll, the green pigment, breaks down, revealing other pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins.

Beyond the botanical context, lehullás can also describe the shedding of other biological materials. For instance, it can refer to the shedding of fur or hair by animals, a natural occurrence that helps them adapt to seasonal changes or can be an indicator of underlying health issues. In a broader sense, the term can be used metaphorically to describe the decline or deterioration of something, such as the lehullás of an empire or the lehullás of a person's reputation. The specific meaning of lehullás is usually determined by the surrounding context in which it is used.