efflorescence

noun

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

Definition of efflorescence

1a : 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

Other Words from efflorescence Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about efflorescence

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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.

Examples of efflorescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As his house pares down, ornament sprouts on his person like an irrepressible efflorescence of his inner rococo. — Kennedy Fraser, Vogue, "From the Archives: Karl Lagerfeld, The Impresario," 19 Feb. 2019 Salles is interested not only in the brief efflorescence of radicalism and rebellion in those years. — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘In the Intense Now’ records an incendiary time: 1968," 27 Apr. 2018 This efflorescence traces back to the groundbreaking developments in the field that took place here in the '50s and '60s. — Leah Ollman, latimes.com, "Ceramic art, once written off as mere craft, wins a brighter spotlight in the L.A. scene," 25 Apr. 2018 For Savouri, the easiest way to understand the efflorescence of theories and valuations being bandied about is to opt for a simple, overarching one: the greater fool theory. — Lionel Laurent, Bloomberg.com, "What Bitcoin Is Really Worth May No Longer Be Such a Mystery," 19 Apr. 2018 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

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.