Main Entry: ex·pli·cate

Pronunciation: \ˈek-splə-ˌkāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): ex·pli·cat·ed; ex·pli·cat·ing

Etymology: Latin explicatus, past participle of explicare, literally, to unfold, from ex- + plicare to fold — more at ply

Date: 1531

1 : to give a detailed explanation of
2 : to develop the implications of : analyze logically

synonyms see explain

— ex·pli·ca·tion \ˌek-splə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

— ex·pli·ca·tor \ˈek-splə-ˌkā-tər\ noun