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e·lic·it

(ĭ-lĭsĭt)

tr.v. e·lic·it·ed, e·lic·it·ing, e·lic·its

To call forth, draw out, or provoke (a response or reaction, for example): "Interrogators were reportedly frustrated by their inability to elicit useful information from him" (Jane Mayer). See Synonyms at evoke.

[Latin ēlicere, ēlicit- : ē-, ex-, ex- + lacere, to entice.]

e·lic′i·tation n.

e·lici·tor n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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