different between explain vs remark

English

Etymology

From Middle English explanen, from Old French explaner, from Latin explan? (“I flatten, spread out, make plain or clear, explain”), from ex- (“out”) + plan? (“I flatten, make level”), from planus (“level, plain”); see plain and plane. Compare esplanade, splanade. Displaced Old English ?ere??an.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?sple?n/, /?k?sple?n/
• Rhymes: -e?n

Verb

explain (third-person singular simple present explains, present participle explaining, simple past and past participle explained)

1. To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
2. To give a valid excuse for past behavior.
3. (obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.
4. (obsolete) To unfold or make visible.
   • April 14, 1684, John Evelyn, a letter sent to the Royal Society concerning the damage done to his gardens by the preceding winter

     The horse-chestnut is […] ready to explain its leaf.

5. (intransitive) To make something plain or intelligible.

Synonyms

• (give a sufficiently detailed report): expound, elaborate, recce

Derived terms

• afore-explained
• explain away
• explainer
• mansplain
• please explain
• -splain

Related terms

• explanation
• explanatory

Translations

Further reading

• explain in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• explain in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• explain at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Etymology 1

From Middle French remarquer, from Old French remarquer, from re- (“again”) + marquer (“to mark”); see mark.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /???m??k/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???m??k/
• Rhymes: -??(?)k

Noun

remark (countable and uncountable, plural remarks)

1. An act of pointing out or noticing; notice or observation.
2. An expression, in speech or writing, of something remarked or noticed; a mention of something
   • 1844, Charles Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit

     But the journey might have been one of several hours’ duration, without provoking a remark from either; for it was clear that Jonas did not mean to break the silence which prevailed between them, and that it was not, as yet, his dear friend’s cue to tempt them into conversation.

3. A casual observation, comment, or statement
   • 2014, Stephen King, Mr. Mercedes: A Novel

     He remembers something Pete Huntley said at lunch, just a remark in passing, and the answer comes to him.

4. (engraving) Alternative form of remarque

Related terms

• counterremark
• remarkable

Translations

Verb

remark (third-person singular simple present remarks, present participle remarking, simple past and past participle remarked)

1. (intransitive) To make a remark or remarks; to comment.
2. (transitive) To express in words or writing; to state; to make a comment

   He remarked that it was getting late.
3. (transitive) To pay heed to; notice; to take notice of
   • 1889 January 3, Antoine D'Abbadie, in a letter to the editor of Nature, volume 39, pages 247-248:

     When travelling in Spain, Willkomm remarked qobar at a distance of 3 or 4 miles, yet, on reaching the actual spot, he saw nothing.
4. (transitive, obsolete) To mark in a notable manner; to distinguish clearly; to make noticeable or conspicuous; to point out.
   • 1633, John Ford, Tis Pity She's a Whore

     Thou art a man remark'd to taste a mischief.

   • 1671, John Milton, Samson Agonistes

     His manacles remark him; there he sits.

Translations

Etymology 2

re- +? mark

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /??i?m??k/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??i??m??k/
• Rhymes: -??(?)k

Noun

remark (plural remarks)

1. Alternative spelling of re-mark

Verb

remark (third-person singular simple present remarks, present participle remarking, simple past and past participle remarked)

1. Alternative spelling of re-mark

Further reading

• remark in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• remark in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• Kramer, marker