elicit

[ ih-lis-it ]

See synonyms for elicit on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke: to elicit the truth;to elicit a response with a question.

Origin of elicit

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ēlicitus “drawn out” (past participle of ēlicere ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” (see e-¹) + lici- “draw, lure” + -tus past participle suffix

Other words from elicit

e·lic·i·ta·tion [ih-lis-i-tey-shuhn] /ɪˌlɪs ɪˈteɪ ʃən/ noun
e·lic·i·tor, noun

Words that may be confused with elicit

elicit , illicit

Words Nearby elicit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use elicit in a sentence

With all due respect to his athletic skill, Gronkowski is not high on the list of NFL players that elicit carnal thoughts.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits | Emily Shire | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
When a reporter asked him a question, it would often elicit a series of Jesuitical responses.
President Cuomo Would’ve Been a Lion | Jonathan Alter | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
One agent in particular developed a rapport with Zubaydah and managed to elicit an all-important bit of intelligence.
The Luxury Homes That Torture and Your Tax Dollars Built | Michael Daly | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The Golden Globes TV nominations reliably elicit a WTF reaction.
15 Enraging Golden Globe TV Snubs and Surprises: Amy Poehler, 'Mad Men' & More | Kevin Fallon | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In the end, it was found that students working under Protess had used false pretenses in trying to elicit witness statements.
Wrongly Imprisoned for 15 Years Thanks to an Innocence Project | Jacob Siegel | November 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

There will be an amicable settlement; and my word will be a knot in the chain of satisfactory evidence they will elicit.
Alone | Marion Harland
Eleanor looked at Jane very sharply, but the sewing-girl's face was averted, so that questioning looks could elicit no answers.
All He Knew | John Habberton
Some of his walls are still pointed out, and the large stones he lifted elicit surprise.
Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents and Strange Events | S. Baring-Gould
This was said to elicit if there might be some variance in the statement of Lady Eleanor and her servant.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II) | Charles James Lever
But, starting from that point, an exploration of hours failed to elicit the slightest trace.
Forging the Blades | Bertram Mitford

British Dictionary definitions for elicit

elicit

/ (ɪˈlɪsɪt) /

verb(tr)

to give rise to; evoke: to elicit a sharp retort
to bring to light: to elicit the truth

Origin of elicit

C17: from Latin ēlicere to lure forth, from licere to entice

Derived forms of elicit

elicitable, adjective
elicitation, noun
elicitor, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse