Etymology Explorer › English

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

  1. To make clear; to clarify; to shed light upon

Ancestry of “elucidate”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinelucidatuslightened, having been lightened; enlightened,...
2Latinelucidō—
3Latinlūcidus—
4Latinlūceō—
5Proto-Italicloukeōcause to emit light, cause to shine, ignite
6Proto-Indo-Europeanlowkéye-—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlewk-bright; to shine; to see

Words derived from “elucidate”

  • elucidatory
  • elucidative
  • elucidator
  • elucidatorily
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewk- →