elucidate

[ ih-loo-si-deyt ]
See synonyms for elucidate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.
  1. to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain: an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.

verb (used without object),e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.
  1. to provide clarification; explain.

Origin of elucidate

1
First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin ēlūcidātus “enlightened” (past participle of ēlūcidāre ), equivalent to ē- intensive prefix + lūcid(us) “bright, shining, clear, clear to the understanding” + -ātus adjective suffix; see origin at e-1, lucid, -ate1

Other words for elucidate

Other words from elucidate

  • e·lu·ci·da·tion [ih-loo-si-dey-shuhn], /ɪˌlu sɪˈdeɪ ʃən/, 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·tive, adjective
  • un·e·lu·ci·dat·ed, adjective
  • un·e·lu·ci·dat·ing, adjective
  • un·e·lu·ci·da·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use elucidate in a sentence

  • So may be elucidated problems which neither metaphysical speculation nor historical research has proved adequate to expound.

  • Would the mystery of that tragic January night in South Kensington never be elucidated?

    The Sign of Silence | William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for elucidate

elucidate

/ (ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt) /


verb
  1. to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify

Origin of elucidate

1
C16: from Late Latin ēlūcidāre to enlighten; see lucid

Derived forms of elucidate

  • elucidation, noun
  • elucidative or elucidatory, adjective
  • elucidator, noun

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