French Conversation · Level 147
30 words
French word
élucider
Pronunciation
IPA/elyside/
Meaning
- verbsolve
Example
Nous devons élucider cette affaire avant de continuer.
We must solve this matter before continuing.
More examples
Il a fallu plusieurs témoignages pour élucider ce malentendu.
It took several testimonies to elucidate this misunderstanding.
Core concept
A dark puzzle becoming clear as its causes and details come into view.
Common phrases
élucider un malentendu
elucidate a misunderstanding
élucider les circonstances
elucidate the circumstances
Similar words
expliquer: State the reasons or method so that it can be understood.
éclaircir: Make a confusing point clear and remove uncertainty.
résoudre: Remove the cause of a problem and solve it.
Definition in French
Rendre clair ce qui était obscur en exposant ses causes ou ses éléments pour qu'on le comprenne.
Word origin
French élucider is a learned borrowing from Latin elucidare, meaning to make clear through the idea of bringing something into the light.
Usage tips
- Élucider has a formal investigative or academic tone, while expliquer and clarifier are more common for ordinary explanations.
Other meanings
- clarifyverb
Opposites
- embrouillerconfuseverb
- obscurcirobscureverb
Related words
- élucidéelucidatedadjective