Elicit is a verb meaning to draw forth or bring out something latent or potential, such as information or a response. It comes from the Latin "elicere," meaning "to entice." It should not be confused with "illicit," which means unlawful or illegal.
Elicit es un verbo que significa extraer o sacar a la luz algo latente o potencial, como información o una respuesta. Proviene del latín "elicere", que significa "atraer". No debe confundirse con "illicit", que significa "ilícito" o "ilegal".
| Word | elicit |
|---|---|
| Date | November 10, 2016 |
| Type | verb |
| Syllables | ih-LISS-it |
| Etymology | Elicit derives from the past participle of the Latin verb elicere, formed by combining the prefix e- (meaning "away") with the verb lacere, meaning "to entice by charm or attraction." It is not related to its near-homophone, the adjective illicit—that word, meaning "unlawful," traces back to another Latin verb, licēre, meaning "to be permitted." Nor is elicit related to the verb solicit, even though it sounds like it should be. Solicit derives from Latin sollicitare ("to disturb"), formed by combining the adjective sollus, meaning "whole," with the past participle of the verb ciēre, meaning "to move." |
| Examples | The announcement of the final amount raised by the charity walk elicited many cheers from the crowd. "But the big question is whether fragments of pottery, fraying textiles and decaying manuscripts can elicit excitement these days when people are glued to technology." — Ruth Eglash, The Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2016 |
| Definition | 1 : to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential) 2 : to call forth or draw out (as information or a response) |
Tags: wordoftheday::verb
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Triptych hinged panels parts type roman writing tablet
Previous card: Ukase russian command exclamation english speakers early government
Up to card list: Word of the Day