elicit
[ih-lis-it]
- to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke: to elicit the truth; to elicit a response with a question.
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Origin of elicit
1635–45; < Latin ēlicitus drawn out (past participle of ēlicere), equivalent to ē- e-1 + lici- draw, lure + -tus past participle suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for elicit
Contemporary Examples
With all due respect to his athletic skill, Gronkowski is not high on the list of NFL players that elicit carnal thoughts.
When a reporter asked him a question, it would often elicit a series of Jesuitical responses.
One agent in particular developed a rapport with Zubaydah and managed to elicit an all-important bit of intelligence.
In the end, it was found that students working under Protess had used false pretenses in trying to elicit witness statements.
Just like Watson, Ansari is daring to elicit antagonism and ignorant accusations on account of his feminist beliefs.
Historical Examples
A deep sigh was the only answer she could elicit from Theodora.
Gomez AriasJoaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
Scenes of this sort were too common to elicit comment or arouse excitement.
Blazed Trail StoriesStewart Edward White
With what authority do we elicit respect and obedience from our little people!
No amount of cross-examination could elicit any further information.
The Light of ScartheyEgerton Castle
It was a very simple question, yet it did not elicit a very plain answer.
A SimpletonCharles Reade
elicit
- to give rise to; evoketo elicit a sharp retort
- to bring to lightto elicit the truth
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin ēlicere to lure forth, from licere to entice
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for elicit
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper