elucidate

verb

elu·​ci·​date i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt How to pronounce elucidate (audio)
elucidated; elucidating

transitive verb

: to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis
elucidate a text

intransitive verb

: to give a clarifying explanation
elucidation noun
elucidative adjective

Did you know?

Elucidate comes from the Latin term lucidus, which means "lucid." Lucidus, in turn, comes from the verb lucēre, meaning "to shine." So elucidating can be thought of as the figurative equivalent of shining a light on something to make it easier to see.

Choose the Right Synonym for elucidate

explain, expound, explicate, elucidate, interpret mean to make something clear or understandable.

explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

Examples of elucidate in a Sentence

When asked for details, he declined to elucidate further. colored charts that really help to elucidate the points made in the text
Recent Examples on the Web No new facts, likely to enlarge the domain of forensic medicine, have been elucidated by these investigations. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024 To this end, the physician must delineate information on the patient's clinical situation and then help elucidate the types of values embodied in the available options. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 However, the report also elucidated some of the House of Mouse’s struggles: operating income in the company’s entertainment division plummeted 32% between 2022 and 2023. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024 On a Zoom chat from Paris, Debicki elucidates further. Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2024 Senators Bill Hagerty and Cynthia Lummis, both Republicans, added their voices to the chorus with separate posts on X. In their letter, Vance and Tillis set a deadline of January 23 for the SEC to elucidate its plans to investigate what happened, among other things. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2024 Accelerating the exchange of people and ideas, the results help elucidate how the Yamnaya spread so far so quickly, altering Eurasian genes and cultures in their wake. Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2023 Triad Trails, a walking tour through Chinatown, elucidates the city's battles against gangs and drugs from the 1890s to the present; the guides are former gang members who have served prison sentences and worked their way back into society. Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2023 Their rapport during our hourlong discussion elucidates that 41 is no mere business arrangement. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elucidate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin elucidatus, past participle of elucidare, from Latin e- + lucidus lucid

First Known Use

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of elucidate was circa 1568

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Dictionary Entries Near elucidate

Cite this Entry

“Elucidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elucidate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elucidate

verb
elu·​ci·​date i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt How to pronounce elucidate (audio)
elucidated; elucidating
: to make clear or plain : explain
elucidation noun
elucidative adjective
elucidator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on elucidate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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