surfacing
noun
Surfacing — the act of rising up into visibility, becoming apparent at last
Definition
Emerging to the surface and becoming apparent
In depth
Surfacing names the act of emerging to the surface and becoming apparent, whether a submarine rising from the ocean depths, a long-buried memory returning to conscious awareness, or a piece of information finally coming to public light after remaining hidden. The word carries the satisfying tension of release after concealment or submersion.
Origin
The word combines 'surface,' from French sur- (above) and face (face or surface), with the English '-ing' suffix marking ongoing process. Its figurative extension to memory and information reflects a natural and very old metaphor, equating the unconscious or the hidden with submerged depths, and revelation or recollection with a rising back up into visible light.
Usage examples
"The submarine's surfacing took several tense minutes, the crew watching anxiously for any sign of trouble."
"Old grievances kept surfacing throughout the negotiation, each one threatening to derail progress entirely."
"New evidence kept surfacing for years after the trial had officially concluded, reopening questions everyone had assumed settled."
How to use it
Surfacing works beautifully across literal physical description and figurative writing about memory, information, or emotion finally becoming visible or known after a period of concealment or submersion, suiting psychological and investigative writing especially well.
Related concepts
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