explanation

nouncommon in dialogue

Canada//ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən//
Australia//ˌekspləˈnæɪʃən//

The act or process of explaining.

noun

1
The act or process of explaining.
The explanation was long and drawn-out.
2
Something that explains or makes understandable.
An explanation for the UFO sightings was easily found.
The socialist will, of course, see in this merely a proof that the more intelligent person is today bound to become a socialist. But this is far from being the necessary or even the most likely explanation.
3
A resolution of disputed points pursuant to discussion; a mutual clarification of disputed points; reconciliation.
This little explanation with Mr. Knightley gave Emma considerable pleasure.

Etymology

From Latin explanatio (“an explanation, interpretation”), from explanare (“explain”); see explain. Morphologically explain + -ation. Displaced native Old English racu.

Forms

plural: explanations

expired · that is no longer valid explain · To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of…explaining · explanation

explanation · The act or process of explaining.

explicit · Very specific, clear, or detailed.explode · To fly apart with sudden violent force; to blow up, to burst,…exploded · Having been subjected to an explosion; blown up.

The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.