explicatory

adjective

ex·​pli·​ca·​to·​ry ek-ˈspli-kə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce explicatory (audio) ˈek-(ˌ)spli- How to pronounce explicatory (audio)

Examples of explicatory in a Sentence

most of the medical film's voice-over narration consists of explicatory remarks on the images being shown
Recent Examples on the Web But Reichardt has no interest in the kind of conventional storytelling that requires clues and revelations building to an explicatory conclusion. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'explicatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin explicātōrius, from Latin explicāre "to free from folds or creases, unroll, spread out, set out in words" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at explicate

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of explicatory was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near explicatory

Cite this Entry

“Explicatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explicatory. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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