efflorescence

noun ef·flo·res·cence \ ˌe-flə-ˈre-sᵊn(t)s \

Updated on: 21 Mar 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

efflorescence was our Word of the Day on 05/30/2013. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of efflorescence from the Web

Donnes had grown up on not just the magazine but also the extraordinary efflorescence of talent and humor that came out of it.

— benjamin wallace, HWD, "Can Anyone Repair National Lampoon’s Devastated Brand?," 1 May 2017
This is the quintessential guitar-rock specimen, a seed for the later efflorescence of prog-rockers and arena anthemists.

— giovanni russonello, New York Times, "Listen to 13 Essential Walter Becker Songs," 4 Sep. 2017
In the fall of 2011, the Getty launched an initiative to flesh out the story of Southern California's postwar efflorescence as a center for making and exhibiting art.

— leah ollman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Local museums join Getty in examining Latino and Latin American art," 25 Sep. 2017
Collectors, famished by the low-calorie fare of the seventies’ avant-garde, adored the sensuous, cheeky, and grand efflorescence in the painting of the eighties.

— peter schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "The Joy of Eighties Art," 6 Feb. 2017
History isn’t a flawless guide, but periods of economic and political dislocation can actually inspire an efflorescence of culture.

— charles isherwood, Town & Country, "Art in the Age of Trump," 30 May 2017
Donnes had grown up on not just the magazine but also the extraordinary efflorescence of talent and humor that came out of it.

— benjamin wallace, VanityFair.com, "Can Anyone Repair National Lampoon’s Devastated Brand?," 19 May 2017

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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about efflorescence

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efflorescence

Definition of efflorescence

efflorescent

efflorescence was our Word of the Day on 05/30/2013. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of efflorescence from the Web

Did You Know?

First Known Use of efflorescence

Medical Dictionary

efflorescence

medical Definition of efflorescence

efflorescent

Learn More about efflorescence

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efflorescence

Definition of efflorescence

efflorescent

efflorescence was our Word of the Day on 05/30/2013. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of efflorescence from the Web

Did You Know?

First Known Use of efflorescence

Medical Dictionary

efflorescence

medical Definition of efflorescence

efflorescent

Learn More about efflorescence

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