efface

[ih-feys]

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.

Origin of efface

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

Related formsef·face·a·ble, adjectiveef·face·ment, nounef·fac·er, nounun·ef·face·a·ble, adjectiveun·ef·faced, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for effacement

Historical Examples of effacement

No mutilation, no gore; just an effacement—prompt and absolute—'there wasn't any.'
Concerning Cats
Helen M. Winslow
Her pink and white character had also suffered the effacement of the years.
The Belovd Vagabond
William J. Locke
An impression of passing away, of the effacement of individual life.
Memoirs of My Dead Life
George Moore
Her remedy seems to be effacement for herself and bribes for her young barbarians.
The Open Question
Elizabeth Robins
My effacement was only temporary, as Siringo appeared at his room shortly afterward.
The Outlet
Andy Adams

British Dictionary definitions for effacement

efface

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 Formseffaceable, 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

Word Origin and History for effacement

efface

late 15c., from Middle French effacer, from Old French esfacier (12c.) "to wipe out, destroy," literally "to remove the face," from es- "out" (see ex-) + face "appearance," from Latin facies "face" (see face (n.)). Related: Effaced; effacing. Cf. deface.