elicit

American  

[ih-lis-it] / ɪˈlɪs ɪt /

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.

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elicit British  

/ ɪˈlɪsɪt /

verb

1. to give rise to; evoke

   to elicit a sharp retort

2. to bring to light

   to elicit the truth

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Other Word Forms

• elicitable adjective
• elicitation noun
• elicitor noun

Etymology

Origin of elicit

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

Example Sentences

On this side of the Atlantic, her name usually elicits a puzzled “Who?”

From The Wall Street Journal

The visual gags that are part of Jake’s physical travails not only elicit chuckles but add a neurodivergent undertone to the story.

From Salon

The FBI thought the lead was promising enough to launch an undercover investigation, people familiar with it said, with a covert agent befriending the woman’s significant other to elicit new clues.

From The Wall Street Journal

Adrian is right to be worried by Charlie’s return, but he elicits very little sympathy.

From The Wall Street Journal

The question that elicited the response above from Austin Reaves: How was he feeling physically?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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