Ef*face" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Effaced (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Effacing (?).] [F. effacer; pref. es- (L.
ex) + face face; prop., to destroy the face or form.
See Face, and cf. Deface.] 1. To
cause to disappear (as anything impresses or inscribed upon a
surface) by rubbing out, striking out, etc.; to erase; to render
illegible or indiscernible; as, to efface the letters on a
monument, or the inscription on a coin.
2. To destroy, as a mental impression; to
wear away.
Efface from his mind the theories and notions
vulgarly received.
Bacon.
Syn. -- To blot out; expunge; erase; obliterate; cancel;
destroy. -- Efface, Deface. To deface is to
injure or impair a figure; to efface is to rub out or destroy,
so as to render invisible.
