efflorescence

efflorescence

1. Chem Geology

a. the process of efflorescing

b. the powdery substance formed as a result of this process, esp on the surface of rocks

2. any skin rash or eruption

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

Efflorescence

A deposit, usually white, formed on the surface of a brick, block, or concrete wall; it consists of salts leached from the surface of the wall.

Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture Copyright © 2012, 2002, 1998 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

efflorescence

[‚ef·lə′res·əns]

(botany)

The period or process of flowering.

(chemistry)

The property of hydrated crystals to lose water of hydration and crumble when exposed to air.

(materials)

A crust of salts, usually white, that forms on the surface of stone, brick, plaster, or mortar because of leaching of free alkalies from adjacent concrete or mortar.

(mineralogy)

A whitish powder, consisting of one or several minerals produced as an encrustation on the surface of a rock in an arid region. Also known as bloom.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

efflorescence

An encrustation of soluble salts, commonly white, deposited on the surface of stone, brick, plaster, or mortar; usually caused by free alkalies leached from mortar or adjacent concrete as moisture moves through it.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.