Elucidate Meaning
/ɪˈl(j)uːsɪdeɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo make (something) lucid (“bright, luminous; also, clear, transparent”).
verbTo make (something) clear and understandable; to clarify, to illuminate, to shed light on.
Sentence Examples
Allow me to elucidate.
The professor tried to elucidate the complex theory during his lecture.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The professor paused to ____ the complex theory for the students.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Allow me to ____.
Word Origin & History
From Late Latin ēlūcidātus, perfect passive participle of ēlūcidō (“to lighten, enlighten”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ē(x)- (“out, from”) + lūcidus (“bright, clear, understandable”) + -ō (first conjugation verb-forming suffix), literally “to make light of (something)”, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“bright; to see; to shine”). Compare French élucider.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Let me hear vvhat your ovvn conceptions are of the matter, if they tend to elucidate or reconcile."
— 1675, Richard Baxter, “The Second Book. The Fifth Days Conference with an Arminian of Mans Natural Sinfulness and Impotency to Good, and of Free-will.”, in Richard Baxter’s Catholick Theologie: […], London: […] Robert White, for Nevill Simmons […], →OCLC, page 88:
"Dining at Mr. [Samuel] Pepys's, Dr. Slayer shewed us an experiment of a wonderful nature, […] This matter or phosphorus was made out of human blood and urine, elucidating the vital flame or heate in animal bodys."
— 1685 December 22 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 13 December 1685]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, page 620:
"The antiquities of France have been elucidated by a learned and ingenious people: […]"
— a. 1795 (date written), Edward Gibbon, “An Address, &c.”, in John Lord Sheffield [i.e., John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield], editor, Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon, Esquire. […], volume II, London: […] A[ndrew] Strahan, and T[homas] Cadell Jun. and W[illiam] Davies, (successors to Mr. [Thomas] Cadell), […], published 1796, →OCLC, page 712:
"The business however, though not perfectly elucidated by this speech, soon ceased to be a puzzle."
— 1803 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter XIII, in Northanger Abbey; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume I, London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC, page 237:
"Peter elucidateth the Frauds in Literature by a Smock Race."
— 1812, Peter Pindar [pseudonym; John Wolcot], “Nil Admirari; or, A Smile at a Bishop; […]. Argument.”, in The Works of Peter Pindar, Esq. […], new edition, volume IV, London: […] J[ohn] Walker, G. Wilkie and J. Robinson, G. Robinson, […]; and G. Goulding and Co. […], →OCLC, page 272:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The professor paused to ____ the complex theory for the students.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Allow me to ____.