Definition of elicit
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Examples of elicit in a Sentence
If ever there was a two-way pleasure street, it's the delight a baby takes in being tickled and the joy the parent experiences in the tumble of laughter it elicits. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 17 Jan. 2005
Gingrich elicits perhaps the greatest sympathy when he talks about the challenge of graduating from a rabble-rousing backbencher in the House minority to presiding over (and trying to control) the first Republican majority in 40 years. —Richard L. Berke, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1998
In a wild, captive wolf that is not socialized to man, approach will elicit flight and, if the wolf is cornered, a defensive reaction may be triggered, which is termed the critical-distance reaction. —Michael W. Fox, The Soul of the Wolf, 1980
She's been trying to elicit the support of other committee members.
My question elicited no response.
She's been unable to elicit much sympathy from the public.
Recent Examples of elicit from the Web
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Readers have struggled to understand the conditions that allowed for the enslavement of Eudocia Tomas Pulido, the complex dynamic of her relationship with the Tizons, and the highly conflicted reactions the story has elicited across the Pacific.
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This elicited a sharp response from Steinitz, the energy minister.
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Nine golfers matched or bettered that score during last week’s event despite difficult scoring conditions that elicited the highest 36-hole cut mark (4-over par 144) at Colonial since 1999.
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The granite wall, and the names etched in it, elicit a wide range of responses.
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Bong’s comments elicited an eye-roll from many in the entertainment press corps.
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Kvitova, a popular player on tour, has elicited universal support from current and past players during her recovery.
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Mahomes’ gunslinger tendencies have also elicited both veiled and direct comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre.
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As a video clip showed Trump leaning toward Pope Francis' ear, audio from the infamous Access Hollywood tape played, eliciting groans from the studio audience.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elicit'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Latin Roots of Elicit
Elicit derives from the past participle of the Latin verb elicere, formed by combining the prefix e- (meaning "away") with the verb lacere, meaning "to entice by charm or attraction." It is not related to its near-homophone, the adjective illicit—that word, meaning "unlawful," traces back to another Latin verb, licēre, meaning "to be permitted." Nor is elicit related to the verb solicit, even though it sounds like it should be. Solicit derives from Latin sollicitare ("to disturb"), formed by combining the adjective sollus, meaning "whole," with the past participle of the verb ciēre, meaning "to move."
Origin and Etymology of elicit
Latin elicitus, past participle of elicere, from e- + lacere to allure
First Known Use: 1605
Synonym Discussion of elicit
ELICIT Defined for English Language Learners
elicit
playDefinition of elicit for English Language Learners
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: to get (a response, information, etc.) from someone
Learn More about elicit
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See words that rhyme with elicit Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for elicit Spanish Central: Translation of elicit Nglish: Translation of elicit for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of elicit for Arabic speakers
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