explicite

Forms

explicite (plural explicites)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin explicitus (“clear”), a term of scholastic Latin, first recorded in 1488.^[2][3][4][5] The Latin word is the past participle of explicō (“to unfold, explain”), used as an adjective,^[2][3][6] a variant of the usual participle explicātus.^[1][7] The verb is formed from ex- (“out”) and plicō (“to fold”),^[7] and is also the source of expliquer.^[2][8]

The same Latin verb, in the closing formula written at the end of medieval books, gave the palaeographic noun explicit (1838).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1488 in La Mer des Histoires, meaning “clearly expressed”.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

As in Latin, the adjective first applied to what is clearly and fully stated, especially in law;^[3][8][4] Littré also records the theological phrase foi explicite, a formal assent to the dogmas.^[3][8][4] It was used in grammar and linguistics from 1870,^[3][4] and, from about 1900 (Léon Bloy) of a person who expresses himself clearly and without ambiguity, now the more common use.^[3]

The adverb explicitement dates from 1488, and the verb expliciter “to make explicit” from 1840, with its noun explicitation.^[3] English borrowed the French word as explicit in the 1610s.^[7]

Timeline

• 1488 – Explicite and explicitement appear in La Mer des Histoires.^[2][3]
• 1610s – English borrows it as explicit.^[7]
• 1838 – The noun explicit is used in palaeography.^[3]
• 1840 – Expliciter and explicitation are recorded.^[3]
• 1870 – First use in linguistics.^[3][4]
• 1900 – Bloy uses it of a person who speaks clearly.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (law) Actually expressed, formally stated: une clause explicite.^[9][8][4]
2. Stated clearly and precisely enough to leave no doubt; explicit: une réponse très explicite.^[9][10][2]
3. Of a person, expressing oneself clearly and without ambiguity: sois plus explicite.^[9][10][3]
4. (linguistics) Of a grammar, whose rules can be formalized.^[10]
5. (theology) Foi explicite: formal assent to the dogmas.^[8]

Word family

• explicitement
• expliciter
• explicitation

Related words

• implicite
• expliquer
• explicit
• exploit
• Latin explicō

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 312a
6. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
10. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)