effloresce

Pronunciation key ( ef′lô-res′ ) ( ef′lō-res′ )

ef•flo•resce

v.i. [EFFLORESCED (-rest′) EFFLORESCING]

[L. efflorescere to blossom, flourish < ex- out + florescere to begin to blossom < florere, to blossom < flos, floris a flower].

1. To blossom outwardly, flowering.
1. In chemistry, to transform from a crystalline to a powdery state through loss of the water of crystallization.
2. Powder or crust that forms in the process.

References

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1955