Effacing: meaning, definitions and examples

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effacing

 

[ ɪˈfeɪsɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

removing, erasing

Effacing refers to the act of making something disappear or less visible, often by removing marks, features, or characteristics. It can involve erasing or obliterating an inscription or outline, rendering it indistinct. This term is often used in artistic contexts, where an artist might efface part of their work to alter its appearance. The word suggests an active process of negating the presence of something from view or consideration.

Synonyms

dissolve, erase, expunge, obliterate, remove

Examples of usage

  • The artist spent hours effacing parts of the canvas to create a new layer.
  • They used sandpaper for effacing the old paint from the surface.
  • The memories of the event had a way of effacing from her mind.
  • The winds gradually began effacing the sandcastle.
  • He felt that society was effacing important parts of its history.

Translations

Translations of the word "effacing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apagamento

🇮🇳 मिटाना

🇩🇪 verblassen

🇮🇩 menghapus

🇺🇦 стерти

🇵🇱 wymazywanie

🇯🇵 消去する

🇫🇷 effacement

🇪🇸 borrado

🇹🇷 silme

🇰🇷 지우기

🇸🇦 إزالة

🇨🇿 mazání

🇸🇰 mazanie

🇨🇳 抹去

🇸🇮 brisanje

🇮🇸 eyða

🇰🇿 жою

🇬🇪 წაშლა

🇦🇿 silmə

🇲🇽 borrado

Word origin

The term 'effacing' is derived from the Latin word 'effacere,' which means 'to erase' or 'to remove.' The word 'facere' means 'to do' or 'to make,' while the prefix 'e-' denotes removal or negation. In Middle English, the term evolved, maintaining its essence of removal and erasure. Over time, 'effacing' has been adopted in various contexts, such as art, literature, and psychology, reflecting the alteration or removal of identity, memories, or features. Today, it is often used to describe physical acts of removal as well as metaphorical processes of forgetting or neglecting the past.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,305, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.