Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “efflorescence” come from?

Efflorescence comes from French efflorescence, from Latin efflorescere meaning "to bloom," formed from ex- and flos meaning "flower," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰleh₃- meaning "to bloom."

efflorescence (English): The formation of a powdery surface on crystals,...

Definitions

  1. The formation of a powdery surface on crystals,...

Ancestry of “efflorescence”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchefflorescence—
2Latinefflorescerepresent active infinitive of efflōrēscō
3Latinex-out, away; throughout; thoroughly
4LatineThe name of the letter "E"; out of, from
5LatinexA name of the letter "X"; out of, from
6Latincommūnicō—
7Latincommūnis—
8Old Latincom(m)oinis—
9Proto-Italickommoinis—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱom-moy-ni-held in common
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
12Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
13Middle Englishkyt—
14Germankitt—
15Old High Germankuti—
16Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
17Proto-Germanickweduzresin
18Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷet- →