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effloresce

American  
[ef-luh-res] / ˌɛf ləˈrɛs /

verb (used without object)

effloresced, efflorescing
  1. to burst into bloom; blossom.

  2. Chemistry.

    1. to change either throughout or on the surface to a mealy or powdery substance upon exposure to air, as a crystalline substance through loss of water of crystallization.

    2. to become incrusted or covered with crystals of salt or the like through evaporation or chemical change.


effloresce British  
/ ˌɛflɔːˈrɛs /

verb

  1. to burst forth into or as if into flower; bloom

  2. to become powdery by loss of water or crystallization

  3. to become encrusted with powder or crystals as a result of chemical change or the evaporation of a solution

"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

Etymology

Origin of effloresce

1765–75; < Latin efflōrēscere to blossom out, equivalent to ef- ef- + flōrēscere to begin to bloom ( flōr ( i )-, stem of flōs flower + -ēscere -esce )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Two decades later the image would effloresce in the story/novella “Cousins”:

From New York Times Apr. 27, 2015

But eventually the virus predominates in the blood and the primitive cells effloresce into cancer.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is thought to derive its character of luxuriant productiveness from a portion of salt intimately blended with its constituents, which, from its tendency to effloresce in a warm sun, renders the compound peculiarly friable.

From Norman's New Orleans and Environs Containing a Brief Historical Sketch of the Territory and State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time by B. M. Norman

He does not tell us in this parable how the character which will effloresce in blossoms and set in fruits of goodness is produced.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture St. Luke by Alexander Maclaren

But the broad principles will effloresce into all manner of perfectnesses and all fruits.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians; Epistles of St. Peter and St. John by Alexander Maclaren

The written-out trills of the 28th Variation effloresced with a mild gleam, and the fughetta of the 10th hit the ear with a tonal wall of sound.

From New York Times Feb. 8, 2024

Since his marriage, he has effloresced in Washington society.

From Time Magazine Archive

As for McGill, he expanded, he effloresced, if such a nature as his could be said to bloom.

From The Crimson Gardenia and Other Tales of Adventure by Rex Ellingwood Beach

What the Ingredients Are of Soapine and Pearline.—They consist of partly effloresced sal soda mixed with half its weight of soda ash.

From Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 by Barkham Burroughs

Compelled communism is not the repetition of that oneness of sympathy which effloresced in the bright flower of this common possession of individual goods.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture: the Acts by Alexander Maclaren

This had the double disadvantage of rendering the specimen cured by its aid almost dripping with humidity in damp weather, and efflorescing with the double salts around the eyes and mouth in dry weather.

From Practical Taxidermy A manual of instruction to the amateur in collecting, preserving, and setting up natural history specimens of all kinds. To which is added a chapter upon the pictorial arrangement of museums. With additional instructions in modelling and artistic taxidermy. by Montagu Browne

These may subsequently be covered with drifting sands and capillary action may cause the borates to work up through the sands, becoming mixed with them and efflorescing at the surface.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by C. K. (Charles Kenneth) Leith

And the gladness which is wholesome and blessed, and is 'joy in the Lord,' will manifest itself by efflorescing into all holiness and all loftiness and largeness of obedience.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Isaiah and Jeremiah by Alexander Maclaren

And although the waters are healed, there still remain the obstinate marshes with the white crystals efflorescing on their surface, and bringing salt and barrenness.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets. St Matthew Chapters I to VIII by Alexander Maclaren

Carbonate of soda should be avoided in connection with sodium silicate as the property of efflorescing on the surface of the finished cake after a short time will prove detrimental.

From Soap-Making Manual A Practical Handbook on the Raw Materials, Their Manipulation, Analysis and Control in the Modern Soap Plant. by E. G. Thomssen

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