explication
explication — noun
- explicationsingular
- explicationsplural
1. the careful process of making the full meaning of a text, idea, or statement cle
the careful process of making the full meaning of a text, idea, or statement clear by examining it closely
Bao's explication of the Tang dynasty poem took up two full class periods.
possessive + explication of + [specific text]
A thorough explication of the contract demands reading between every line.
thorough explication of [document]
Evelyn began her explication by tracing the author's key arguments through each chapter.
The explication of this central idea requires both historical and cultural context.
- clarification
more general and less methodical than explication
- elucidation
more formal, emphasises making something obscure become clear
- exposition
often public or systematic, may be less text-focused
用法筆記
This sense describes an activity that unfolds over time. Contrast with sense 2 (FULL INTERPRETATION), which refers to a finished piece of analysis.
常見錯誤
2. a detailed written or spoken analysis that reveals the deeper meaning of a liter
a detailed written or spoken analysis that reveals the deeper meaning of a literary work, theory, or concept
Ravindra submitted a five-page explication of the short story for his literature class.
submit + a + [length] + explication of + [text]
Omar's explication argued that the final scene represents the loss of childhood innocence.
The academic journal published a detailed explication of the philosopher's early writings.
Soraya wrote an explication of the sonnet that connected its imagery to Renaissance painting.
- interpretation
broader and less rigorous than explication; may be more subjective
- exposition
more systematic, sometimes public or lecture-like
- commentary
often line-by-line or passage-by-passage, may be more evaluative
用法筆記
This sense denotes a completed piece of analysis (countable: 'an explication', 'two explications'), unlike sense 1 (EXPLAINING IN DETAIL), which focuses on the ongoing activity.