efface

[ ih-feys ]
/ ɪˈfeɪs /

verb (used with object), ef·faced, ef·fac·ing.

to wipe out; do away with; expunge: to efface one's unhappy memories.
to rub out, erase, or obliterate (outlines, traces, inscriptions, etc.).
to make (oneself) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself) modestly or shyly.

QUIZZES

DIVE INTO THIS BALMY SUMMERTIME SPELLING QUIZ

Do you often fall under the spell of the summer season? See if you can really spell your way through it with this quiz of popular summertime words.
Question 1 of 12
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of efface

From the Middle French word effacer, dating back to 1480–90. See ef-, face

OTHER WORDS FROM efface

Words nearby efface

efate, efavirenz, eff, eff., effable, efface, effect, effecter, effective, effective conjugate, effective current
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for effacement

British Dictionary definitions for effacement

efface
/ (ɪˈfeɪs) /

verb (tr)

to obliterate or make dimto efface a memory
to make (oneself) inconspicuous or humble through modesty, cowardice, or obsequiousness
to rub out (a line, drawing, etc); erase

Derived forms of efface

effaceable, adjectiveeffacement, nouneffacer, noun

Word Origin for efface

C15: from French effacer, literally: to obliterate the face; see face
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012