explicit

Etymology

First attested 1609, from French explicite, from Latin explicitus (“disentangled", "easy”), an alternative form of the past participle of explicāre (“to unfold”), from ex- (“out”) + plicō (“to fold”). Pornographic sense is from 1971.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/ enPR: ĭk-splĭsʹĭt

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪsɪt

Adjective

explicit (comparative more explicit, superlative most explicit)

1. Very specific, clear, or detailed.

   I gave explicit instructions for him to stay here, but he followed me, anyway.

2. (euphemistic) Containing material (e.g. language or film footage) that might be deemed offensive or graphic.

   The film had several scenes including explicit language and sex.

Phrase

explicit

1. (obsolete) Used at the conclusion of a book to indicate the end.

Further reading

• explicit in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• explicit in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Alternative forms

• (proscribed) excipit

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin explicit (“to unfold”).

Noun

explicit m (plural explicits)

1. end (of a story)

References

• “explicit” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Etymology

From Latin explicō (“to unfold”).

Noun

explicit m (oblique plural expliciz or explicitz, nominative singular expliciz or explicitz, nominative plural explicit)

1. end (of a story)

Adjective

explicit

1. explicit

Adverb

explicit

1. explicitly