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

That would have forced in the tying run had Turang not instinctively danced out of the way, eliciting a groan from the sold-out crowd.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

You choose each and every word to elicit a reaction.

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In all, he saved six men from execution during his career, eliciting death threats in the process.

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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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Related Words

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