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v. ex·plained, ex·plain·ing, ex·plains v.tr. 1. To make plain or comprehensible. 2. To define; expound: We explained our plan to the committee. 3. a. To offer reasons for or a cause of; justify: explain an error. b. To offer reasons for the actions, beliefs, or remarks of (oneself). v.intr. Phrasal Verb: To make something plain or comprehensible: Let me explain. explain away To dismiss or minimize the significance of (something) by means of an explanation or excuse: There is no way to explain away my carelessness. [Middle English explanen, from Latin explānāre : ex-, intensive pref.; see EX- + plānus, clear; see pelə-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ex·plaina·ble adj. Synonyms: explain, elucidate, explicate, interpret, construe These verbs mean to make the nature or meaning of something understandable. Explain is the most widely applicable: The professor used a diagram to explain the theory of continental drift. The manual explained how the new software worked. To elucidate is to throw light on something complex: "Man's whole life and environment have been laid open and elucidated" (Thomas Carlyle). Explicate implies detailed and usually learned and lengthy exploration or analysis: "Ordinary language philosophers tried to explicate the standards of usage" (Jerrold J. Katz). To interpret is to reveal the underlying meaning of something by the application of special knowledge or insight: "A radiologist can interpret images made in Saudi Arabia and beamed to Boston, sending back a diagnosis within hours" (Richard Saltus). Construe involves putting a particular construction or interpretation on something: "I take the official oath today ... with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules" (Abraham Lincoln). |
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