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explanation

 - 3 dictionary results

ex⋅pla⋅na⋅tion

  [ek-spluh-ney-shuhn]
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–noun
1. the act or process of explaining.
2. something that explains; a statement made to clarify something and make it understandable; exposition: an explanation of a poem.
3. a meaning or interpretation: to find an explanation for a mystery.
4. a mutual declaration of the meaning of words spoken, actions, motives, etc., with a view to adjusting a misunderstanding or reconciling differences: After a long and emotional explanation they were friends again.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME explanacioun < L explānātiōn- (s. of explānātiō), equiv. to explānāt(us) (see explanate ) + -iōn- -ion

Synonyms:
1. elucidation, explication, exposition, interpretation, description. 3. solution, key, answer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ex·pla·na·tion   (ěk'splə-nā'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act or process of explaining: launched into a detailed explanation.

  2. Something that explains: That was supposedly the explanation for their misdeeds.

  3. A mutual clarification of misunderstandings; a reconciliation.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

explanation 
1382, from L. explanationem noun of action from explanare "to make plain or clear, explain," lit. "make level, flatten," from ex- "out" + planus "flat" (see plane (1)). Originally explane, spelling altered by infl. of plain. The verb explain is first attested 1513.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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