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

Still, Lick and others concede that the mere mention of an Amazon partnership generally elicits reactions, both from the companies that benefit and the ones that appear to be in the way.

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The decision elicited a two-pronged reaction from fans.

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Atlas’ show can feel like a factory production line, with the host asking the same litany of questions every episode, leading to similar clips guaranteed to elicit predictable reactions from male viewers.

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In class, a saxophone solo elicits cheers from the class.

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One can also only imagine the feelings elicited by the realization that several other priceless statues had been deliberately sent to a watery grave.

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Related Words

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