[ex.pli.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L explicatus, pp. of explicare, lit., to unfold, fr. ex- + plicare to fold--more at ply] (1531) 1: to give a detailed explanation of
2: to develop the implications of: analyze logically syn see explain -- ex.pli.ca.tion n -- ex.pli.ca.tor n