explicate
[ ek-spli-keyt ]
/ ˈɛk splɪˌkeɪt /
verb (used with object), ex·pli·cat·ed, ex·pli·cat·ing.
to make plain or clear; explain; interpret.
to develop (a principle, theory, etc.).
Nearby words
expletively, expletory, explicable, explicandum, explicans, explicate, explication, explication de texte, explicative, explicatory, explicit
Origin of explicate
Related formsex·pli·ca·tor, nounre·ex·pli·cate, verb (used with object), re·ex·pli·cat·ed, re·ex·pli·cat·ing.un·ex·pli·cat·ed, adjectivewell-ex·pli·cat·ed, adjective
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for explicate
British Dictionary definitions for explicate
explicate
/ (ˈɛksplɪˌkeɪt) /
verb (tr) formal
to make clear or explicit; explain
to formulate or develop (a theory, hypothesis, etc)
Derived Formsexplicative (ɪkˈsplɪkətɪv) or explicatory (ɪkˈsplɪkətərɪ, -trɪ), adjectiveexplicator, noun
Word Origin for explicate
C16: from Latin explicāre to unfold, from plicāre to fold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for explicate
explicate
1530s, from Latin explicatus, past participle of explicare "unfold, unravel, explain" (see explicit).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper