elucidate
ih-LOO-sih-daytverbMeaning to make clear; to explain
Memory hook E-LUC-idate: bring it OUT into the LIGHT. Professor Edwin draws a simple picture on the board, and one by one the puzzled faces light up: “Oh, I see!” He elucidates the idea.
The museum guide elucidated how the ancient water clock kept time.
In context Seeing the puzzled faces, the teacher paused to elucidate: she drew a diagram, gave two simple examples and then had the class try one together.
Similar explain, clarify, illuminate, spell out
Opposite obscure, confuse, muddle
From Late Latin elucidare, “to make clear”: e (out) + lucidus (bright, clear).