Efflorescence
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
- 1 The formation of a powdery surface on crystals, as a hydrate is converted to anhydrous form by losing loosely bound water of crystallization to the atmosphere. countable, uncountable
- 2 a powdery deposit on a surface wordnet
- 3 The production of flowers. countable, uncountable
- 4 the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms wordnet
- 5 An encrustation of soluble salts, commonly white, deposited on the surface of stone, brick, plaster, or mortar; usually caused by free alkalies leached from mortar or adjacent concrete as moisture moves through it. countable, uncountable
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- 6 any red eruption of the skin wordnet
- 7 An encrustation of soluble salts, deposited on rock or soil by evaporation; often found in arid or geothermal environments. countable, uncountable
- 8 the period of greatest prosperity or productivity wordnet
- 9 Rapid flowering of a culture or civilisation etc. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"1919, a time when African American hopes for a just future following their service in World War I were dashed by violent reassertions of white supremacy, including the efflorescence and expansion of the KKK into the Midwestern and northwestern U.S."
- 10 A redness, rash, or eruption on the skin. countable, uncountable
Example
More examples"1919, a time when African American hopes for a just future following their service in World War I were dashed by violent reassertions of white supremacy, including the efflorescence and expansion of the KKK into the Midwestern and northwestern U.S."
Etymology
Borrowed from French efflorescence, from Latin efflōrēscō (from ex- (“out”) + flōrēscō (“to blossom”)) + -ence. By surface analysis, effloresce + -ence.
Related phrases
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.