explication

[ ek-spli-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of explicating.
2. an explanation; interpretation:

   He gave a brilliant explication of James Joyce's book.

Other Words From

• reex·pli·cation noun
• self-expli·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of explication¹

1520–30; < Middle French < Latin explicātiōn- (stem of explicātiō ). See explicate, -ion

Example Sentences

But you can just as easily read it as a lucid explication of Rousseau’s ideas about human nature, or as a slippery narrative told by a not-quite-reliable narrator who’s trying to get away with murder.

From New York Times

More extensive explication is available via the reliable "Star Wars" online encyclopedia of your choice.

From Salon

Numerous explications of this remarkable document are available from many different media sources; criminologist and Trump expert Gregg Barak supplied an analysis for Salon over the weekend.

From Salon

“Clock” leans too heavily on too-obvious visual metaphors, but it’s still a vivid and visceral explication of one woman’s fears.

From Los Angeles Times

“My life required explication,” Hudes writes in “My Broken Language,” her autobiographical new play at the Signature Theater.

From New York Times