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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

efface

/ɪˈfeɪs/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:39
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What does efface mean?

verb

  1. To erase (as anything impressed or inscribed upon a surface); to render illegible or indiscernible.
  2. To cause to disappear as if by rubbing out or striking out.
  3. To make oneself inobtrusive as if due to modesty or diffidence.
More meanings (2)

verb

  1. Of the cervix during pregnancy, to thin and stretch in preparation for labor.
  2. Of a woman: to have the cervix thin and stretch in this manner.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ɪˈfeɪs/

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Why had I permitted the rapid development of new situations to efface the recollection of that menacing danger?
Edgar Rice BurroughsThe warlord of MarsProject Gutenberg ebook #68
He sought not to efface sorrow by forgetfulness, but to magnify and dignify it by hope.
Victor HugoLes MisérablesTranslated by Isabel Florence HapgoodProject Gutenberg ebook #135
More book examples (3)
We should efface the trace of this innumerable diversity of opinions; not adorn ourselves with it, and fill posterity with crotchets.
Michel de MontaigneEssays of Michel de Montaigne — CompleteTranslated by Charles CottonProject Gutenberg ebook #3600
They were women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels.
Kate ChopinThe Awakening, and Selected Short StoriesProject Gutenberg ebook #160
“Princesse, ma parole, je n’ai pas voulu l’offenser. * I did not mean anything, I was only joking,” he said, smiling shyly and trying to efface his offense.
Leo, graf TolstoyWar and PeaceTranslated by Aylmer Maude; Louise MaudeProject Gutenberg ebook #2600