efflorescent

[ ef-luh-res-uhnt ]

adjective

1. efflorescing; blossoming.
2. Chemistry.
   1. subject to efflorescence.
   2. covered with or forming an efflorescence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of efflorescent¹

1810–20; < Latin efflōrēscent- (stem of efflōrēscēns ), present participle of efflōrēscere to effloresce; -ent

Example Sentences

It was as though he’d been peering through a narrow lens and the aperture began to widen to take in the entire landscape in a kind of efflorescent illumination.

From Literature

Viewed from space, there's all this enticing, suddenly efflorescent terrain far from the tropics.

From Washington Post

Of those works, a particularly thrilling one will be Gamboa II, an extravagant, efflorescent canopy made of dangling beads, balls, flowers and other materials typically used for samba floats.

From Wall Street Journal

Across the River Thames on the Southbank, there is an efflorescent roof garden with a difference.

From BBC

It coincided with Isabella's reign, and was a characteristic outburst of its new wealth and conquests, appropriately efflorescent and grandiose, though if carried one step beyond it would be decadent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decorative