Learn English – Difference between elucidate and explicate

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I read the definitions of these two terms rendered by various dictionaries and concluded that

  • elucidate denotes 'to make perspicuous or intelligible (especially by explanation)'; whereas,
  • explicate denotes 'to elaborate on a theory in a manner that makes it more perspicuous or intelligible'.

I can't discern a distinction other than the possibility that explicate is the more appropriate word when the object is a theory (e.g. one might explicate a theory but elucidate a process).

Is that the distinction between these two words? If not, then what distinguishes these two words from each other?

Best Answer

The Oxford Dictionary Online defines elucidate as

Make (something) clear; explain: work such as theirs will help to elucidate this matter

The etymology is reported as

mid 16th century: from late Latin elucidat- 'made clear', from the verb elucidare, from e- (variant of ex-) 'out' + lucidus 'lucid'.

Tracing lucid back, we get

late 16th century (sense 2): from Latin lucidus (perhaps via French lucide or Italian lucido), from lucere 'shine', from lux, luc- 'light'.

Basically, it means shed light on.

ODO defines explicate as

Analyze and develop (an idea or principle) in detail: attempting to explicate the relationship between crime and economic forces

The origin is reported to be

mid 16th century: from Latin explicat- 'unfolded', from the verb explicare, from ex- 'out' + plicare 'to fold'.

The sense it to unpack or unfold a complex concept or relationship.

While there is a great deal of overlap, and either might fit many circumstances, there are subtle connotatve differences. Elucidate might be a better choice when some information, perhaps only a single fact, reveals the nature of the situation. Explicate would seem better suited when a process of unraveling a complex situation is necessary to get to the truth or to understanding.

Were I to tell someone I hate my brother, I could elucidate by saying He beat me up every day when I was a boy.

Or I could explicate by tracing the 70 year history of complex business transactions, contested inheritances, joint ventures, competitive projects, political campaigns and the battle over a betrothed that slowly turned sibling camaraderie to contempt.

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