Explanation
[eksplə'neɪʃ(ə)n] or [,ɛksplə'neʃən]
Definition
(noun.) thought that makes something comprehensible.
(noun.) a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; 'the explanation was very simple'; 'I expected a brief account'.
(noun.) the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible; 'I heard his explanation of the accident'.
Editor: Lorna--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.
(n.) That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.
(n.) The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense.
(n.) A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.
Checked by Jean
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Interpretation, elucidation, illustration, exposition, description, explication, CLAVIS, key.[2]. Sense, meaning, acceptation.[3]. Mutual understanding.
Typed by Geraldine
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Exposition, explication, interpretation, sense, description
ANT:Mystification, obscuration, confusion, misinterpretation
Editor: Madge
Examples
- What else can be the consequence, said Herbert, in explanation, if he will cut the cheese? Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Then the explanation came to me. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- I listened with amazement to this explanation, which Holmes delivered between the puffs of his cigarette. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- It is really wonderful to think of Rudolph still being alive, mused Mrs Dengelton, taking no notice of the Rector's historical explanation. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- The explanation of this well-known fact is found in a further study of the elastic balls (Fig. 170). Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Another man in his position would have needed some explanation of those words--the Count felt no such necessity. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- The explanation of this is, that a string may vibrate in a number of different ways. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- She was wondering whether an explanation of any kind would be consistent with her loyalty to Frederick. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- I felt that we were incomplete before, and here is the explanation. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- I am aware that Sir Percival Glyde's explanation has been considered satisfactory. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Considering everything, I think a letter will be decidedly the best method of explanation. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- These, with an explanation of the phenomenon, he communicated in a letter to his friend, Sir John Pringle, which is among his philosophical pieces. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- But I didn't quite follow your explanation of the destruction of the busts. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- The company, as you have just heard, are resolved to have a further explanation. Plato. The Republic.
- Scientific law appeared not merely as a formulation and explanation of observed phenomena but as a means for the discovery of new truths. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Still the explanations were made in German. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- For other explanations of the passage see Introduction. Plato. The Republic.
- But I come to ask explanations. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I always wished I could have understood Siemens's explanations of the points of those stories. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- There appeared to be only two explanations of it. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Miss Bart shrank from it slightly, and then flung herself into precipitate explanations. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- The names Graham Bretton and Home de Bassompierre gave rise to questions and explanations. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- His explanations were simple. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It suddenly struck her that it might be from Lady Catherine; and she anticipated with dismay all the consequent explanations. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- I must wait for my master to give explanations; and so must she. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- That is the case as it appears to the police, and improbable as it is, all other explanations are more improbable still. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- He said-- But I waited for none of the landlord's explanations. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Caroline forgot, again and again, the explanations which were given to her. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Mrs. Joe, who always took explanations upon herself, said, snappishly, Escaped. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- All preliminary explanations being now cleared out of the way, I come at last to the real knot of the case--to the twenty thousand pounds. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
Checked by Edmond