expound

[ik-spound]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expound ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to set forth or state in detail: to expound theories.

to explain; interpret.

verb (used without object)

to make a detailed statement (often followed by on).

Origin of expound

1250–1300; Middle English expounen, expounden < Old French espondre < Latin expōnere to put out, set forth, explain, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + pōnere to put

Related formsex·pound·er, nounpre·ex·pound, verb (used with object)un·ex·pound·ed, adjective

Synonym study

2. See explain.

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

Related Words for expound

exemplify, delineate, explain, express, clarify, explicate, illustrate, comment, elucidate, describe, state, discourse, interpret, unfold, present, construe, enucleate

Examples from the Web for expound

Contemporary Examples of expound

I was going to expound on this today, but Josh Barro's got it covered.
Romney's Tax Plan Still Doesn't Work
Justin Green
October 12, 2012
The spring collection was intended to expound on the female body, sensuality and skin--but not nudity.
Louis Vuitton, Chanel, McQueen Cap Paris Spring 2013 Fashion Week Shows
Robin Givhan
October 3, 2012
Why, in an otherwise tough interview, he didn't ask Netanyahu to expound the distinction is beyond me.
Obama Already Has A Red Line
Ali Gharib
September 16, 2012
He recognized me from TV, and began to expound his political opinions.
The Sex Lives of Cab Drivers
David Frum
June 7, 2012
The compulsion to expound on the grips of passion is timeless, it would seem.
‘Love Letters’ Anthologizes 2,000 Years of Passion Put to Paper
Sarah Stodola
February 11, 2012

Historical Examples of expound

Well, my dears, it is useless for me to expound to you that which I cannot myself understand.
Micah Clarke
Arthur Conan Doyle
Professor Turner will expound the significance of the frontier in American history.
The American Mind
Bliss Perry
"Because—" But it was no moment to expound the personal nature of love.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
Will you allow me then to explain how I should have liked to have heard you expound the matter?
Laws
Plato
I will expound this meaning of mine through the medium of a parable.
The Shame of Motley
Raphael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for expound

expound

verb

(when intr, foll by on or about) to explain or set forth (an argument, theory, etc) in detailto expound on one's theories; he expounded his reasoning

Derived Formsexpounder, noun

Word Origin for expound

C13: from Old French espondre, from Latin expōnere to set forth, from pōnere to put

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

Word Origin and History for expound

c.1300, from Old French espondre "expound (on), set forth, explain," from Latin exponere "put forth, explain, expose, exhibit," from ex- "forth" (see ex-) + ponere "to put, place" (see position); with intrusive -d (cf. sound (n.1)). The usual Middle English form was expoune. Related: Expounded; expounding.