explicit English · revision 10774

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1613|origins=fr explicite|origins=la explicitus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪkˈsplɪs.ɪt/, /ekˈsplɪs.ɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|explicite]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Latin explicitus, unobstructed, a variant past participle of explicāre, to unfold, unravel, explain (see [[explicate]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from ex-, out, and plicāre, to fold (see [[ply]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of statements, expressed distinctly, leaving nothing implied: 1613, in Cawdrey's Table Alphabeticall,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the 1610s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of knowledge, developed in detail, clear, is from 1651,^(OED 1989) and of the brow, free from wrinkles, from 1671.^(OED 1989) As a euphemism for pornographic it dates from 1971, though phrases such as ''sexually explicit'' are earlier.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) A different word explicit, from Late Latin, was written by medieval scribes at the end of a book, probably short for explicitus est liber, “the book is unrolled”.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1613 – distinctly expressed.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1651 – clear, detailed.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1671 – smooth (of the brow).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1971 – pornographic (euphemism).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Stated clearly and in detail, leaving nothing [[implicit]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Showing sex or violence in graphic detail.^(Collins 2023)^(Etymonline)

+ # Open and frank in speech.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[explicitly]]

+ * [[explicitness]]

+ * [[inexplicit]]

+ * [[overexplicit]]

+ * [[explicit function]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[explicate]]

+ * [[explication]]

+ * [[implicit]]

+ * [[explain]]

+ * [[ply]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}