elucidation
Americannoun
-
the act of explaining or making something clear.
Ideas may occur in abstract forms, but their elucidation happens only through language.
-
an explanation or clarification.
Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize for his elucidation of the photoelectric effect.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of elucidation
First recorded in 1520–30; elucid(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )
Explanation
An elucidation is really just a fancy name for an "explanation." Sherlock Holmes revealing his deductions to Dr. Watson is a classic example of elucidation. Because of its suggestion of complexity, elucidation is a word often used in a scientific or educational context: scientists will elucidate their latest theories to the public or a college professor will elucidate some complicated theorem to their students. You need to be wide awake for an elucidation. There's often a test to follow.
Vocabulary lists containing elucidation
Poe's Favorite Words, collected by Charles Harrington Elster
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The Double Helix
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Murder on the Orient Express
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Elucidation and evolution of the active component within Cu/Fe/ZSM-5 for catalytic methane oxidation: from synthesis to catalysis.
From Nature • Nov. 28, 2017
Instantly Whitaker resolved himself into a select joint committee for the Promulgation of the Principles of Modern Chivalry and the Elucidation of the Truth.
From The Destroying Angel by Vance, Louis Joseph
The Elucidation a possible record of historic facts.
From From Ritual to Romance by Weston, Jessie Laidlay
The curious student of such matters may find conspicuous examples of what I mean in Herbart's Analytical Elucidation of Morality and Natural Right, and in the same author's Letters on Freedom.
From The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer; The Art of Literature by Saunders, T. Bailey (Thomas Bailey)
WIT is the Lustre resulting from the quick Elucidation of one Subject, by a just and unexpected Arrangement of it with another Subject.
From An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) by Clifford, James L.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
