Explain Definition
ĭk-splān
explained, explaining, explains
verb
explained, explaining, explains
To make clear, plain, or understandable.
Webster's New World
To give an explanation.
Webster's New World
To give the meaning or interpretation of; expound.
Webster's New World
To account for; state reasons for.
Webster's New World
To offer reasons for the actions, beliefs, or remarks of (oneself).
American Heritage
Synonyms:
idiom
explain away
- to state reasons for so as to justify, often by minimizing, or make understandable
Webster's New World
explain oneself
- to make clear what one means
- to give reasons justifying one's conduct
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Explain
- explain away
- explain oneself
Origin of Explain
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Middle English explanen, from Old French explaner, from Latin explanāre (“to flatten, to spread out, make plain or clear, explain”), from ex- (“out”) + planāre (“to flatten, make level”), from planus (“level, plain”); see plain and plane. Compare esplanade, splanade. Displaced native Middle English arecchen, irecchen (“to explain, expound”) (from Old English āreccan, ġereccan).
From Wiktionary
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Middle English explanen from Latin explānāre ex- intensive pref. ex– plānus clear pelə-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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