v. ex·pound·ed, ex·pound·ing, ex·pounds v.tr. 1. To explain in detail; elucidate: She expounded her theory on the origin of the conflict. 2. To make known or set forth; present: "In the 1956 campaign he cheerfully expounded views that had gravely disturbed him four years earlier" (Helen Sasson). v.intr. To make a detailed statement: The professor was expounding on a favorite topic. [Middle English expounden, from Anglo-Norman espoundre, from Latin expōnere : ex-, ex- + pōnere, to place; see apo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ex·pounder n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.