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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To destroy, as a mental impression; to wear away. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being effaced. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. effacement. ] The act if effacing; also, the result of the act. [ 1913 Webster ]