explication

[ek-spli-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of explicating.

2. an explanation; interpretation.

   He gave a brilliant explication of James Joyce's book.

Other Word Forms

• reexplication noun
• self-explication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of explication¹

1520–30; < Middle French < Latin explicātiōn- (stem of explicātiō ). See explicate, -ion

Example Sentences

Mr. Richardson’s explication of these sui generis novels is astute and highly welcome.

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Democrats feigned alarm over the memo’s explication of the unitary executive.

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If this, one of the best and truest Ojai festivals in recent years, is meant not for explication but discovery, please do so.

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But you can just as easily read it as a lucid explication of Rousseau’s ideas about human nature, or as a slippery narrative told by a not-quite-reliable narrator who’s trying to get away with murder.

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More extensive explication is available via the reliable "Star Wars" online encyclopedia of your choice.

Read more on Salon