different between explanation vs explain

English

Alternative forms

• explaination (misspelling or obsolete spelling)

Etymology

From Latin explanatio (“an explanation, interpretation”), from explanare (“explain”); see explain.

Morphologically explain +? -ation

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??kspl??ne???n/
• Rhymes: -e???n

Noun

explanation (countable and uncountable, plural explanations)

1. The act or process of explaining.

   The explanation was long and drawn-out.

2. Something that explains, makes understandable.

   An explanation for the UFO sightings was easily found.

3. A resolution of disputed points pursuant to discussion; a mutual clarification of disputed points; reconciliation.

Synonyms

• (act or process of explaining): clarification; elucidation; elaboration; explaining; femsplaining (pej., particularly by a feminist to a man); mansplaining, mansplanation (pej., particularly by a man to a woman)

Related terms

• explain
• explanatory
• explicative
• explicator
• explicatory

Translations

Further reading

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

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