Where does “elucidate” come from?
Elucidate derives from Late Latin elucidatus, past participle of Latin elucido, formed from the prefix ex- and Latin lucid meaning to shine, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European lewk- meaning light or to shine.
elucidate (English): To make clear; to clarify; to shed light upon
Definitions
- To make clear; to clarify; to shed light upon
Ancestry of “elucidate”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | elucidatus | lightened, having been lightened; enlightened,... |
| 2 | Latin | elucidō | to light |
| 3 | Latin | lūcidus | clear, bright, shining, full of light |
| 4 | Latin | lūceō | to be light, clear; to shine, glitter |
| 5 | Proto-Italic | loukeō | cause to emit light, cause to shine, ignite |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lowkéye- | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | lewk- | bright; to shine; to see |