[a. F. explication, ad. L. explicātiōn-em, n. of action f. explicāre: see EXPLICATE v.] The action of explicating.
† 1. The action or process of unfolding (flowers, leaves, etc.). Obs.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iii. 46. In the flowers of Sycamore … before explication.
1660. Sharrock, Vegetables, 24. The moones being in the full at the first explication of the two dissimilar leaves.
2. The process of developing or bringing out what is implicitly contained in a notion, proposition, principle, etc.; the result of this process.
1656. trans. Hobbes’ Elem. Philos. (1839), 70. Definitions … are nothing but the explication of our simple conceptions.
1837–8. Sir W. Hamilton, Logic, xxiv. (1866), II. 12. A declaration is called an Explication, when the predicate or defining member indeterminately evolves only some of the characters belonging to the subject.
1864. Bowen, Logic, iii. 48. The ground of this explication may be thus set forth.
3. The action or process of stating or describing in detail; a detailed statement or description.
1528. Roy, Sat. Of wholy Roodes there is soche a sight That bitwene this and mydnyght I coulde not make explication.
1588. Fraunce, Lawiers Log., Ded. The more orderly explication of the Lawe.
1660. Sharrock, Vegetables, 51. Explication of the Manner of propagation by stemmes cut off from the Mother-plant.
1674. trans. Scheffer’s Lapland, i. 1. Olaus Magnus in the explication of his map of Scandinavia.
1674. Grew, Anat. Plants, III. II. (1682), 123. The Explication therefore of all those Particulars … will be my present Task.
1759. Johnson, Idler, No. 70, ¶ 4. Diffusion and explication are necessary to the instruction of those who … can only learn what is expressly taught.
† 4. The action or process of unfolding the cause or origin of a phenomenon; a statement made for this purpose. Obs.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., 226. Those common attempts toward the Explication of Gravity.
1717. J. Keill, Anim. Oecon., Pref. (1738), p. xxiv. The Explications of the Animal Oeconomy are equally certain and clear with the Propositions of Geometry.
1752. Hume, Ess. & Treat. (1777), II. 114. No other explication can be given of this operation.
1764. Reid, Inquiry, I. i. § 2. 99. An explication … of the various phænomena of human nature.
5. The action or process of removing difficulty or obscurity from, or making clear the meaning of (a word, statement, symbol, etc.). Also, that which effects this; an explanation, interpretation.
1548–9. (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Offices, 37. Certayne notes for the more playne explicacion … of thinges.
1578. Timme, Calvin on Gen., 43. The second word was added instead of an explication.
1651. C. Cartwright, Cert. Relig., I. 235. Now take any of all these foure Explications of the Apostles words.
1660. Barrow, Euclid, Introd. The explication of the Signs or Characters.
1709. Swift, Merlin’s Proph. I have not forced the words by my explication into any other sense.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 99, ¶ 13. A better explication of a controverted line.
c. 1760. Ibbots, in Times, 18 April (1884), 4/2. Ten plates of Anglo-Saxon coins with explications.
1838–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., II. ii. III. § 20. 419. Such explication of contrarieties as might make them appear less incompatible with outward unity.
1872. Black, Adv. Phaeton, xix. 274. A mystery beyond explication.
† b. An exposition; a paraphrase. Obs.
1651. Fuller’s Abel Rediv., Life Luther (1867), I. 59. In the year 1544, the 17th of November, he finished his explication of Genesis.
a. 1789. Burney, Hist. Mus. (ed. 2), II. iv. 252. Two choristers sung the explication or paraphrase.
† 6. = EXPLANATION 3.
1706. Reflex. upon Ridicule, 70. If the Person they are address’d to is affronted, and demands an Explication.
1745. Fortunate Orphan, 128. He told him, he desir’d to have an Explication with him.
