efflorescence
English edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from French efflorescence, from Latin efflōrēscō, which was from ex- (“out”) + flōrēscō (“to blossom”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
efflorescence (countable and uncountable, plural efflorescences)
- (chemistry) 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.
- (botany) The production of flowers.
- (construction) 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.
- (geology) An encrustation of soluble salts, deposited on rock or soil by evaporation; often found in arid or geothermal environments.
- (figurative) Rapid flowering of a culture or civilisation etc.
- (pathology) A redness, rash, or eruption on the skin.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
formation of a powdery surface
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production of flowers
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rapid flowering of a culture
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eruption on the skin
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French edit
Etymology edit
Learned derivation from Latin efflōrēscere with the suffix -ence.[1]
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
efflorescence f (plural efflorescences)
References edit
- ^ “efflorescence”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
- ^ “efflorescence”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.