Efface \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.