e·lu·ci·date

[ih-loo-si-deyt] verb, e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain: an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior. clarify, illuminate.
verb (used without object)
2.
to provide clarification; explain. clarify, clear up, illustrate.

Origin:
1560–70; < Late Latin ēlūcidātus (past participle of ēlūcidāre) enlightened, equivalent to ē- e-1 + lūcid(us) lucid + -ātus -ate1

e·lu·ci·da·tion, noun
e·lu·ci·da·tive, adjective
e·lu·ci·da·tor, noun
non·e·lu·ci·dat·ing, adjective
non·e·lu·ci·da·tion, noun
non·e·lu·ci·da·tive, adjective
un·e·lu·ci·dat·ed, adjective
un·e·lu·ci·dat·ing, adjective
un·e·lu·ci·da·tive, adjective


See explain.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To elucidate
00:10
Elucidate is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
to run away hurriedly; flee.
to spend time idly; loaf.
Collins
World English Dictionary
elucidate (ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify
 
[C16: from Late Latin ēlūcidāre to enlighten; see lucid]
 
eluci'dation
 
n
 
e'lucidative
 
adj
 
e'lucidatory
 
adj
 
e'lucidator
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

elucidate
1560s, from L.L. elucidatus, pp. of elucidare "make clear," from ex- "out, away" + lucidus "clear" (see lucid). Related: Elucidated; elucidates; elucidating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
One question they failed to elucidate was how far away the rfid reader was.
The pictures often seem to contradict the words, yet at the same time perfectly
  elucidate the author's message.
Illustrations elucidate the text with a wealth of images and characters.
The pathway could also elucidate how language evolved.
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT