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elucidate

[ ih-loo-si-deyt ]
/ ɪˈlu sɪˌdeɪt /
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verb (used with object), e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.

to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain: an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.

verb (used without object), e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.

to provide clarification; explain.

RELATED WORDS

exemplify, expound, illuminate, decode, explicate, enlighten, prove, clear, gloss, annotate, clarify, unfold, demonstrate, interpret, illustrate

Nearby words

  1. elspeth,
  2. elt,
  3. elton,
  4. eluant,
  5. eluate,
  6. elucidation,
  7. elucubrate,
  8. elude,
  9. eluent,
  10. elul

Origin of elucidate

1560–70; < Late Latin ēlūcidātus (past participle of ēlūcidāre) enlightened, equivalent to ē- e-1 + lūcid(us) lucid + -ātus -ate1
Related forms

Synonym study

See explain.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for elucidate

British Dictionary definitions for elucidate

elucidate

/ (ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt) /

verb

to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify
Derived Formselucidation, nounelucidative or elucidatory, adjectiveelucidator, noun

Word Origin for elucidate

C16: from Late Latin ēlūcidāre to enlighten; see lucid
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012