Word of the Day - 10/13/26
efface
/ɪ'feɪs/(v.): remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
He tried to efface the graffiti from the wall with a damp cloth.
(v.): remove completely from recognition or memory
Time would eventually efface the painful memories of the accident.
(v.): make inconspicuous
She tried to efface herself in the corner, hoping no one would notice her.
Word Origin
The word 'efface' originates from the Old French 'effacer'. This is formed from the Latin prefix 'ex-' (meaning 'out, away from', which became 'e-' in Old French) and the Latin word 'facies' (meaning 'form, figure, face'). Thus, 'efface' literally means 'to wipe out the face or form'.
Words with similar origins include 'deface' (sharing the 'facies' root) and 'face' itself. Other words derived from the Latin 'facies' include 'surface', 'facade', and 'facial'. Words using the 'ex-' prefix with a similar meaning of 'out' or 'away' include 'erase', 'expel', and 'exclude'.