[ex.plain] vb [ME explanen, fr. L explanare, lit., to make level, fr. ex- + planus level, flat--more at floor] vt (15c) 1 a: to make known b: to make plain or understandable "footnotes that ~ the terms"
2: to give the reason for or cause of
3: to show the logical development or relationships of ~ vi: to make something plain or understandable -- ex.plain.able adj -- ex.plain.er n -- explain oneself : to clarify one's statements or the reasons for one's conduct syn explain, expound, explicate, elucidate, interpret mean to make something clear or understandable. explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known "explain the rules". expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation "expounding a scientific theory". explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis "explicate a poem". elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit "elucidate an obscure passage". interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something "interpreting a work of art".