Efface
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -eɪs
Origin
From Middle French effacer ("erase"), from Old French esfacier ("remove the face").
Full definition of efface
Verb
- (transitive) To erase (as anything impressed or inscribed upon a surface); to render illegible or indiscernible.Do not efface what I've written on the chalkboard.
- 1825, Walter Scott, The Talisman, A.L. Burt Company (1832?), 15:An outline of the same device might be traced on his shield, though many a blow had almost effaced the painting.
- (transitive) To cause to disappear as if by rubbing out or striking out.Some people like to efface their own memories with alcohol.
- (reflexive) To make oneself inobtrusive as if due to modesty or diffidence.Many people seem shy, but they really just efface for meekness.
- (medicine) Of the cervix during pregnancy, to thin and stretch in preparation for labor.Some females efface 75% by the 39th week of pregnancy.