Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828)

Displaying 2 result(s) from the 1913 edition:
Explain (Page: 528)

Ex*plain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Explained(?);p. pr. & vb. n. Explaining.] [L. explandare to flatten, spread out, explain; ex out+plandare to make level or plain, planus plain: cf. OF. esplaner, explaner. See Plain,a., and cf. Esplanade.]

1. To flatten; to spread out; to unfold; to expand. [Obs.]

The horse-chestnut is . . . ready to explain its leaf. Evelyn.


Commentators to explain the difficult passages to you. Gay.
To explain away, to get rid of by explanation. Those explain the meaning quite away." Pope. Syn. -- To expound; interpret; elucidate; clear up.
Explain (Page: 528)

Ex*plain", v. i. To give an explanation.