efflorescence
/ˌɛfləˈɹɛsəns/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.81 in modern English
23
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
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
noun
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
noun
An encrustation of soluble salts, deposited on rock or soil by evaporation; often found in arid or geothermal environments.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "[…] for it could not be expected that a class condemned to increasing degradation of mind and body would be able to bring about the greatest revolution in history, including not only economic changes but the efflorescence of art and civilization."
- "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."
- "I’d hoped that when the black hole of the Donald Trump presidency ended, redirected energy might allow for a cultural efflorescence. So far that hasn’t happened."
Etymology
Borrowed from French efflorescence, from Latin efflōrēscō (from ex- (“out”) + flōrēscō (“to blossom”)) + -ence. By surface analysis, effloresce + -ence.
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: efflōrēscō