efforescent

An apple tree in the garden is efforescent with white blossoms.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Bursting into flower: "efforescent" describes something that is in the process of blooming or flowering, both literally and figuratively.
   • Chemical efflorescence: In chemistry, "efforescent" refers to a substance that loses water of crystallization upon exposure to air, forming a powdery crust (also called "efflorescence").

Usage Examples

• (Bursting into flower.)
• (Figuratively, blooming or flourishing.)
• (Chemical efflorescence.)

Advanced Usage

• "Efforescent period": a time of rapid growth or development.

  • The Renaissance was an efforescent period for European art and science. (A time of flourishing.)

• "Efforescent crystals": crystals that have lost water and become powdery.

  • The efforescent crystals of sodium carbonate were no longer transparent. (Crystals that have effloresced.)

Variants and Related Words

• Efflorescence (noun): the process or state of being efforescent; also, the powdery deposit itself.

  • The efflorescence of the plaster was caused by moisture. (The powdery deposit.)

• Effloresce (verb): to become efforescent; to bloom or to lose water as a powder.

  • The salts will effloresce if left in dry air. (The salts will form a powder.)

• Efflorescently (adverb): in an efforescent manner.

  • The plants grew efflorescently in the fertile soil. (Blooming abundantly.)

Synonyms

• Blooming: (adj) in the process of opening flowers.
• Blossoming: (adj) producing flowers or developing fully.
• Flourishing: (adj) growing or developing vigorously.

Related Idioms

• In full bloom: at the peak of flowering.

  • The cherry trees are in full bloom, efforescent with pink petals. (Fully flowering.)

• Come into flower: to begin to bloom.

  • The lilies came into flower last week, efforescent and fragrant. (Began to bloom.)