effaces

Efface is a verb that means to erase or wipe out a surface marking, or to remove something from recognition or memory. It can refer to making a physical mark disappear, as in “The rain effaced the carved inscription,” or to destroying traces of evidence or a presence. A second sense is to make oneself inconspicuous or to withdraw from public attention, as in “She attempted to efface herself from the event.”

In memory or reputation, efface conveys gradual removal rather than immediate obliteration: “Time can efface the hurt from memory” or “The scandal was partially effaced from her public image.” The term can thus describe both literal erasure and figurative fading.

Etymology: from Old French effacer, from Latin effaciāre, formed from ex- “out” + facere “to make” (to cause to be made out/away).

Usage notes: Efface is more formal and literary than erase, expunge, or wipe away. It often emphasizes removal of marks or traces over time, or deliberate concealment. The reflexive form efface oneself is common in historical or biographical writing.

See also: erasure, obliteration, expungement, wipe, erase, memory, reputation.