explicate

[ ek-spli-keyt ]
/ ˈɛk splɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with object), ex·pli·cat·ed, ex·pli·cat·ing.

to make plain or clear; explain; interpret.
to develop (a principle, theory, etc.).

Origin of explicate

1525–35; < Latin explicātus unfolded, set forth, past participle of explicāre, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + plicāre to fold; see -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM explicate

ex·pli·ca·tor, noun re·ex·pli·cate, verb (used with object), re·ex·pli·cat·ed, re·ex·pli·cat·ing. un·ex·pli·cat·ed, adjective well-ex·pli·cat·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for explicator

British Dictionary definitions for explicator

explicate
/ (ˈɛksplɪˌkeɪt) /

verb (tr) formal

to make clear or explicit; explain
to formulate or develop (a theory, hypothesis, etc)

Derived forms of explicate

explicative (ɪkˈsplɪkətɪv) or explicatory (ɪkˈsplɪkətərɪ, -trɪ), adjective explicator, noun

Word Origin for explicate

C16: from Latin explicāre to unfold, from plicāre to fold