explicit

Main Entry:: ex·plic·it
Pronunciation:: \ik-ˈspli-sət\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: French or Medieval Latin; French explicite, from Medieval Latin explicitus, from Latin, past participle of explicare
Date:: 1607

1 a: fully revealed or expressed without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity : leaving no question as to meaning or intent <explicit instructions> b: open in the depiction of nudity or sexuality <explicit books and films>2: fully developed or formulated <an explicit plan> <an explicit notion of our objective>3: unambiguous in expression <was very explicit on how we are to behave>4of a mathematical function : defined by an expression containing only independent variables — compare implicit 1c

— ex·plic·it·ly adverb

— ex·plic·it·ness noun

synonyms explicit , definite , express , specific mean perfectly clear in meaning. explicit implies such verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding <explicit instructions>. definite stresses precise, clear statement or arrangement that leaves no doubt or indecision <the law is definite in such cases>. express implies both explicitness and direct and positive utterance <her express wishes>. specific applies to what is precisely and fully treated in detail or particular <two specific criticisms>.

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