To bloom or flower; to reach a state of flowering or highest development, often used metaphorically.
From Latin 'efflorescere' (ex- 'out' + florescere 'to bloom'), related to 'flora' and 'flower.' Originally literal, it became metaphorical to describe reaching peak development or flourishing.
Chemistry hijacked this beautiful botanical word to describe salt crystals forming on surfaces—but the metaphor is perfect because both the flower and the salt crystal represent something reaching its full, visible form.
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