efface

[ih-feys]

verb (used with object)

effaced, effacing 

1. to wipe out; do away with; expunge.

   to efface one's unhappy memories.

2. to rub out, erase, or obliterate (outlines, traces, inscriptions, etc.).

3. to make (oneself ) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself ) modestly or shyly.

efface

/ ɪˈfeɪs /

verb

1. to obliterate or make dim

   to efface a memory

2. to make (oneself) inconspicuous or humble through modesty, cowardice, or obsequiousness

3. to rub out (a line, drawing, etc); erase

Other Word Forms

• effacement noun
• effaceable adjective
• effacer noun
• uneffaceable adjective
• uneffaced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of efface¹

From the Middle French word effacer, dating back to 1480–90; ef-, face

Word History and Origins

Origin of efface¹

C15: from French effacer, literally: to obliterate the face; see _face

Example Sentences

It’s exceedingly unlikely that Leo had anything to do with her murder, but the show doesn’t efface her tragedy, even as it reckons with the gravity of Leo’s.

From Los Angeles Times

These animals, the creation of inspired puppet designer Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, are fluidly deployed by a team of graceful puppeteers, who preserve the essential dignity of these creatures without effacing their ferocity.

From Los Angeles Times

In “Gatz,” the novel’s narrative texture was conveyed through zany approximation — the troupe finding Fitzgerald not by effacing itself but by embracing its eccentric difference.

From Los Angeles Times

The Eaton and Palisades fires effaced entire communities, destroyed thousands of homes and left more than two dozen dead.

From Los Angeles Times

And while Fargeat is not very subtle showing Elisabeth literally being effaced from a billboard, illustrating this very point, the emotional toll is palpable.

From Salon