elicit

[ ih-lis-it ]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke:

   to elicit the truth;

   to elicit a response with a question.

elicit

/ ɪˈlɪsɪt /

verb

1. to give rise to; evoke

   to elicit a sharp retort

2. to bring to light

   to elicit the truth

Derived Forms

• eˌliciˈtation, noun
• eˈlicitor, noun
• eˈlicitable, adjective

Other Words From

• e·lic·i·ta·tion [ih-lis-i-, tey, -sh, uh, n] noun
• e·lic·i·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elicit¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ēlicitus “drawn out” (past participle of ēlicere ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” ( e- ¹ ) + lici- “draw, lure” + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of elicit¹

C17: from Latin ēlicere to lure forth, from licere to entice

Example Sentences

It has all made for one of the most astonishing presidential election cycles in modern American history, full of unprecedented political moments, bizarre politicking and endless messaging designed to elicit outrage, fear, hope, bigotry and bitter, biting partisanship.

From Los Angeles Times

He said investigators hoped to elicit information by asking the girls questions multiple times in different ways.

From Los Angeles Times

The detectives are trained to form a theory of how the crime occurred based on available facts, then to relentlessly question suspects — even claiming falsely to have eyewitness accounts, forensic evidence and other proof of guilt — until they elicit a confession.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, reviews that differ from each other will elicit hesitancy in readers, even though the writers of the review were in fact more certain about their experiences.

From Salon

Instead, the general consensus is that Cooper’s interview is admirably executed if not especially probing, guided by questions designed to elicit considerate answers.

From Salon

Related Words

• bring out
• evoke
• extort
• extract
• obtain
• wrest
• wring