exegesis

ex·e·ge·sis

noun \ˌek-sə-ˈjē-səs, ˈek-sə-ˌ\

plural ex·e·ge·ses\-ˈjē-(ˌ)sēz\

Definition of EXEGESIS

: exposition, explanation; especially : an explanation or critical interpretation of a text

Examples of EXEGESIS

1. <a psychobiography that purports to be the definitive exegesis of the late president's character>

Origin of EXEGESIS

New Latin, from Greek exēgēsis, from exēgeisthai to explain, interpret, from ex- + hēgeisthai to lead — more at seek

First Known Use: 1619

Related to EXEGESIS

Synonyms: clarification, construction, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition, illumination, illustration, interpretation, road map

Related Words: paraphrase, restatement, translation; annotation, comment, commentary, epexegesis, gloss; deciphering, decoding; disentanglement, unscrambling; analysis; edification, enlightenment; definition, meaning; demonstration, enactment; justification, rationale, rationalization, reasoning; caution, caveat, warning

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Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

Rhymes with EXEGESIS

anamnesis, apheresis, catachresis, catechesis