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elucidate

[ ih-loo-si-deyt ]
/ ɪˈlu sɪˌdeɪt /
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See synonyms for: elucidate / elucidating / elucidation / elucidative on Thesaurus.com
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.
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Origin of elucidate

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; see origin at e-1, lucid, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM elucidate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to elucidate

clear up, decode, enlighten, exemplify, explicate, expound, get across, illuminate, annotate, clarify, clear, demonstrate, gloss, illustrate, interpret, prove, unfold, shed light on, spell out, throw light on

How to use elucidate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for elucidate

elucidate
/ (ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt) /
verb
to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify

Derived forms of elucidate

elucidation, 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
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