explication

Forms

explication f (plural explications)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin explicātiō (“a setting out clearly”),^[2][3][4] a noun of action formed on explicātum, the supine of explicō (“to unfold, explain”), the source of expliquer.^[2][5] The Latin noun meant first “unfolding, unrolling”, then “clear presentation”.^[5] Its meanings in French developed alongside those of the verb.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1321–1323, in Geoffroy de Picquigny's translation of the Bible, as a statement that makes something understood.^[2][6][5]

Semantic evolution

From the sense of an exposition that makes a text or a thing clear, the word came to name what accounts for someone's behaviour (1672, Molière) and what accounts for a fact, its cause (1690, Furetière).^[6][5] By extension it then named a discussion in which someone is asked to account for his conduct, as in Stendhal's entrer en explication avec quelqu'un (1827), now out of use.^[6]

In schools explication is the close reading and translation of an ancient author, and explication de texte the literary, stylistic and historical commentary of a French text.^[5][2]

Timeline

• 1321–1323 – First record, in Geoffroy de Picquigny's Bible.^[2]
• 1672 – Molière uses it for what accounts for someone's conduct.^[6][5]
• 1690 – Furetière records it for the cause of a fact.^[6][5]
• 1827 – Stendhal writes entrer en explication avec quelqu'un.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. An explanation: a statement or account meant to make something understood; a commentary.^[7][1]
2. (education) Explication de texte: the close analysis of a literary, philosophical or other text.^[7][5]
3. What accounts for a fact; its cause or reason.^[7][6]
4. A justification of one's conduct, and a frank discussion in which one is asked for it: avoir une explication avec quelqu'un.^[4][7]

Related words

• expliquer
• explicatif
• explicable
• Latin explicō

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert