elucidation

American  

[ih-loo-si-dey-shuhn] / ɪˌlu sɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of explaining or making something clear.

   Ideas may occur in abstract forms, but their elucidation happens only through language.

2. an explanation or clarification.

   Albert Einstein won the Nobel Prize for his elucidation of the photoelectric effect.

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Other Word Forms

• nonelucidation
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

Many Germans think that Colonel General Halder had a lot to do with the distribution last year of some curious documents called "Elucidations of Communiqu�s."

From Time Magazine Archive

The point was brought out forcibly in a famous pamphlet written by Mr. Newman, though without his name, called "Elucidations of Dr. Hampden's Theological Statements."

From The Oxford Movement Twelve Years, 1833-1845 by Church, R. W. (Richard William)

On the custom at triumphs, etc., see Munro's Elucidations of Catullus, p.

From Social life at Rome in the Age of Cicero by Fowler, W. Warde

The best exposition of this is in H. A. J. Munro's Elucidations of Catullus, p.

From The Religious Experience of the Roman People From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus by Fowler, W. Warde

I've been mulling over one of my favourite books—it lies beside me as I write—Cromwell's Letters and Speeches, edited by Carlyle, with what Carlyle amusingly calls "Elucidations."

From The Haunted Bookshop by Morley, Christopher