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efflorescence

noun ef·flo·res·cence \ ˌe-flə-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s \
|Updated on: 1 May 2018

Definition of efflorescence

1 a : the action or process of developing and unfolding as if coming into flower : blossoming
  • periods of … intellectual and artistic efflorescence
  • —Julian Huxley
b : an instance of such development
c : fullness of manifestation : culmination
2 : the period or state of flowering
3 : the process or product of efflorescing chemically
—

efflorescent

play \ˌe-flə-ˈre-sᵊnt\ adjective

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Recent Examples of efflorescence from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'efflorescence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

When Edgar Allan Poe spoke of an "efflorescence of language" in The Poetic Principle, he was referring to language that was flowery, or overly rich and colorful. This ties in to the garden roots of efflorescence, a word, like "flourish," that comes from the Latin word for "flower." More commonly, however, "efflorescence" refers to the literal or figurative act of blossoming much like a flower does. You could speak of "the efflorescence of nature in springtime," for example, or "the efflorescence of culture during the Renaissance." "Efflorescence" is also used in chemistry to refer to a process that occurs when something changes to a powder from loss of water of crystallization.

First Known Use of efflorescence

1626

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Medical Dictionary

efflorescence

noun ef·flo·res·cence \ ˌef-lə-ˈres-ᵊn(t)s \

medical Definition of efflorescence

1 : the process of efflorescing; also : the powder or crust so formed
2 : a redness of the skin or an eruption (as in a rash)
—

efflorescent

play \-ᵊnt\ adjective

Learn More about efflorescence

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about efflorescence

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efflorescence

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