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| explain [ ik spláyn ] (3rd person present singular explains, present participle explaining, past and past participle explained) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb give details about something: to give an account of something with enough clarity and detail to be understood by somebody else
  I explained to him that we had no option.
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2. transitive verb clarify meaning of something: to make the meaning of something clear to somebody
Can you explain this sentence to me?
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3. transitive and intransitive verb give reason for something: to give the reason for something that has happened, often as justification for it
Let me explain why I'm late.
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4. explain yourself vr justify behaviour: to give reasons to justify personal behaviour or actions
You'll have to explain yourself to the head teacher.
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5. explain yourself vr make self understood: to express ideas or thoughts in a way that is easily understood
I'm sorry, I'm not explaining myself very well.
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| [Early 16th century. < Latin explanare 'flatten out, unfold' < planus 'flat, clear'] |
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| explainable adjective |
| explainer noun |
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