elucidate

[ ih-loo-si-deyt ]

verb (used with object)

elucidated, elucidating.

1. to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain:

   an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.

   Synonyms: illuminate, clarify

verb (used without object)

elucidated, elucidating.

1. to provide clarification; explain.

   Synonyms: illustrate, clear up

elucidate

/ ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify

Derived Forms

• eˈluciˌdator, noun
• eˈluciˌdative, adjective
• eˌluciˈdation, noun

Other Words From

• e·lu·ci·da·tion [ih-loo-si-, dey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• e·lu·ci·da·tive adjective
• e·lu·ci·da·tor noun
• non·e·lu·ci·dat·ing adjective
• non·e·lu·ci·da·tive adjective
• un·e·lu·ci·dat·ed adjective
• un·e·lu·ci·dat·ing adjective
• un·e·lu·ci·da·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elucidate¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin ēlūcidātus “enlightened” (past participle of ēlūcidāre ), equivalent to ē- intensive prefix + lūcid(us) “bright, shining, clear, clear to the understanding” + -ātus adjective suffix; e- ¹, lucid, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of elucidate¹

C16: from Late Latin ēlūcidāre to enlighten; see lucid

Example Sentences

On the other hand, it has not been fully elucidated the protein kinases that suppress sleep and the dephosphorylation enzymes that control sleep and wakefulness.

From Science Daily

Using this combined approach, the team elucidated the key components of the plant's dispersal strategy:

From Science Daily

The findings were elucidated in yeast, a model organism famous for making bread and beer and yet surprisingly similar to humans on the cellular level.

From Science Daily

They also hope to elucidate the extent to which the findings in mice correlate with spatial control in the human gut.

From Science Daily

"Our next goal is to elucidate the whole picture of the interactions between renin cells, smooth muscle cells, nerves and inflammatory cells under RAS inhibition," said researcher Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, MD.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• clear up
• decode
• enlighten
• exemplify
• explicate
• expound
• get across
• illuminate

When To Use

What are other ways to say elucidate?

To elucidate something is to throw light upon it or make it clear. How does elucidate compare to synonyms explain, expound, and interpret? Find out on Thesaurus.com.