Definition of efface

< efavirenz

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ef·face    (-fs) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
ef·faced, ef·fac·ing, ef·fac·es

1. To rub or wipe out; erase.
2. To make indistinct as if by rubbing: "Five years' absence had done nothing to efface the people's memory of his firmness" (Alan Moorehead). See Synonyms at erase.
3. To conduct (oneself) inconspicuously: "When the two women went out together, Anna deliberately effaced herself and played to the dramatic Molly" (Doris Lessing).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English effacen, from French effacer, from Old French esfacier : es-, out (from Latin ex-, ex-) + face, face ; see face

OTHER FORMS:
ef·facea·ble(Adjective), ef·facement(Noun), ef·facer(Noun)