elucidate
verb
elu·ci·date
i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt 
elucidated; elucidating
: to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis
elucidate a text
: to give a clarifying explanation
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Elucidate comes from the Latin term lucidus, which means "lucid." Lucidus, in turn, comes from the verb lucēre, meaning "to shine." So elucidating can be thought of as the figurative equivalent of shining a light on something to make it easier to see.
Synonyms
Examples of elucidate in a Sentence
When asked for details, he declined to elucidate further.
colored charts that really help to elucidate the points made in the text
Recent Examples on the Web
Francis Fukuyama, a political scientist at Stanford University, has done as much as anyone to elucidate the currents shaping and reshaping global politics.
—
Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
Building flexible classrooms gives the building a lifespan beyond one class or even one era of pedagogy, which, as Fertig elucidates, are sure to evolve.
—Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 25 Sep. 2024
Kirkwood elucidates the ways in which historically masculine spheres of activity—justice, science—have been elevated in significance over the constant, unseen and uncelebrated labor of women.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 June 2024
Along with collisions, astrophysicists have elucidated the idea of merging galaxies; this occurs when two galaxies interact with each other and meld together due to gravitational forces.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024
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Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
Building flexible classrooms gives the building a lifespan beyond one class or even one era of pedagogy, which, as Fertig elucidates, are sure to evolve.
—Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 25 Sep. 2024
Kirkwood elucidates the ways in which historically masculine spheres of activity—justice, science—have been elevated in significance over the constant, unseen and uncelebrated labor of women.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 June 2024
Along with collisions, astrophysicists have elucidated the idea of merging galaxies; this occurs when two galaxies interact with each other and meld together due to gravitational forces.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elucidate
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Cite this Entry
“Elucidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elucidate. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elucidate
verb
elu·ci·date
i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt
elucidated; elucidating
: to make clear or plain : explain
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