Definition of "fig leaf" []

• A stylized representation of the leaf of a fig, used especially to conceal genitals depicted in works of art. (noun)
• Something that serves as a usually insufficient concealment or camouflage: "Many fallen executives are still allowed the fig leaf of 'resignation'” ( David Pauly). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Interestingly, this is also the first ep to feature no overtly supernatural elements, although Lord Raptor is given a line or two about devil worship, no doubt to provide the episode a fig leaf of diabolism."
• "Of course, the General Assembly itself still had to act, and the EU-led negotiations to find some kind of fig leaf that would provide the illusion of reform roared on."
• "Eve had her tongue in Adam's ear and though the expression on his face was one of stuporous boredom, his fig leaf bulged appreciatively."