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View synonyms for explicit

explicit

[ ik-splis-it ]

adjective

  1. fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal:

    explicit instructions; an explicit act of violence; explicit language.

    Synonyms: unambiguous, exact, precise, definite, express

    Antonyms: ambiguous, indefinite

  2. clearly developed or formulated:

    explicit knowledge; explicit belief.

  3. definite and unreserved in expression; outspoken:

    He was quite explicit as to what he expected us to do for him.

    Synonyms: unabashed, forthright, open

  4. having sexual acts or nudity clearly depicted:

    explicit movies; explicit books.

  5. Mathematics. (of a function) having the dependent variable expressed directly in terms of the independent variables, as y = 3 x + 4. Compare implicit ( def 4 ).


explicit

1

/ ɪkˈsplɪsɪt /

adjective

  1. precisely and clearly expressed, leaving nothing to implication; fully stated

    explicit instructions

  2. graphically detailed, leaving little to the imagination

    sexually explicit scenes

  3. openly expressed without reservations; unreserved
  4. maths (of a function) having an equation of the form y=f ( x ), in which y is expressed directly in terms of x, as in y=x 4+ x + z Compare implicit


explicit

2

/ ɪkˈsplɪsɪt /

(no translation)

  1. the end; an indication, used esp by medieval scribes, of the end of a book, part of a manuscript, etc

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Derived Forms

  • exˈplicitly, adverb
  • exˈplicitness, noun

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Other Words From

  • ex·plic·it·ly adverb
  • ex·plic·it·ness noun
  • o·ver·ex·plic·it adjective
  • qua·si-ex·plic·it adjective
  • su·per·ex·plic·it adjective
  • un·ex·plic·it adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of explicit1

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin explicitus “unfolded, set forth,” variant past participle of explicāre; explicate

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Word History and Origins

Origin of explicit1

C17: from Latin explicitus unfolded, from explicāre; see explicate

Origin of explicit2

Late Latin, probably short for explicitus est liber the book is unfolded (or complete); shortened by analogy with incipit

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Example Sentences

More than 20 million people tuned in to a broadcast network drama and saw two gay men have explicit sex.

Meanwhile, big dollar advertising campaigns have taken an explicit rainbow-hued slant.

Instead, everyone agrees it has simply reinscribed too big to fail as explicit law.

Religion is at the center of this debate over explicit protections for LGBT people.

Sex and passion; compulsive, life-changing, soul-altering sex, all to be made more explicit than he had done in the past.

Is the Bible revelation so clear and explicit that no difference of opinion as to its meaning is possible?

In other cases, both the engagement to God, and the engagement of those who Covenant to one another, may be explicit.

We are thus explicit in stating these points, because we are determined to be understood by all.

As an instance of explicit references made to the duty, we may advert to the blessing of Moses on the tribe of Levi.

And, above all, it is necessary that the Free Presbyterian Church should have regard to explicit solemn covenant obligations.

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explicativeexplicit function