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definitions

efface

[ih-feys]
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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.

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Nearby words

  1. efate,
  2. efavirenz,
  3. eff,
  4. eff.,
  5. effable,
  6. effect,
  7. effected,
  8. effecter,
  9. effective,
  10. effective conjugate

Origin of efface

From the Middle French word effacer, dating back to 1480–90. See ef-, face
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for effacement

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

v.

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper