elicit

[ih-lis-it]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke.

   to elicit the truth;

   to elicit a response with a question.

elicit

/ ɪˈlɪsɪt /

verb

1. to give rise to; evoke

   to elicit a sharp retort

2. to bring to light

   to elicit the truth

Other Word Forms

• elicitation noun
• elicitor noun
• elicitable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elicit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of elicit¹

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

Example Sentences

Hewing to the text, Mr. Lloyd elicits effective and affecting performances from the cast.

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It elicits a strong reaction of distaste from the production’s fictional chef.

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It’s a shocking moment and a clear sign that “Urchin” has no intention of romanticizing Mike or actively eliciting our sympathies.

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Seeing these dead beasts suspended by their tails elicited a "gallows-like" feeling, he recounts, but not fear.

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Reporters tried at least four more times to get Sanders to answer similar questions, eliciting only a similar pantomimed response.

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Related Words

• bring out 
• evoke 
• extort 
• extract 
• obtain 
• wrest 
• wring