explicit
/ɪkˈsplɪsɪt
/ /ɛkˈsplɪsɪt/adjective
1Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt: the arrangement had not been made explicit...
- To ensure consistency, several definitions were made explicit before data entry began.
- The methodologies employed are not only made explicit, but discussed in some detail, albeit at times anecdotally.
- At least one has even made explicit reference to the use of nuclear bombs, albeit as a retaliatory measure.
Synonyms
clear, direct, plain, obvious, straightforward, clear-cut, crystal clear, clearly expressed, easily understandable, blunt;
precise, exact, definite, distinct, express, emphatic, absolute, specific, positive, unequivocal, unambiguous, unmistakable, overt, manifest;
detailed, minute, comprehensive, exhaustive, categorical
1.1(Of a person) stating something in an explicit manner: let me be explicit...
- He was not explicit but implied to me that most of the people were in some way connected with publishing or writing.
- We were quite explicit in the consultation process that this would be one of the savings that would be made.
- People fall in love all the time, but few professional athletes are so explicit in recounting the moment they met their soulmate 15 years earlier.
1.2Describing or representing sexual activity in a graphic fashion: a sexually explicit blockbuster...
- They said they just felt that the explicit depiction of sexual activity and nudity was unacceptable.
- I'd put an even more explicit photo on, except I'd have to put an Agecheck on my site!
- He also described ‘a gay sexual encounter in explicit and derogatory terms’ from the pulpit.
Synonyms
uncensored, unrestrained, unreserved, unrestricted, uninhibited, graphic;
open, candid, frank, forthright, direct, plain-spoken, outspoken, point-blank, straight from the shoulder;
full-frontal, no holds barred
noun
The closing words of a manuscript, early printed book, or chanted liturgical text. Compare with incipit.
Middle English: late Latin, 'here ends', or abbreviation of explicitus est liber 'the scroll is unrolled'
Derivatives
explicitness
/ /ɛkˈsplɪsɪtnəs / noun ...- With regard to the simpler problems with which it had earlier contact, it was useful only to the extent that it contributed precision and explicitness.
- Another challenge lies in whether confronting human foibles - namely perversion - in such verbal or visual explicitness still allows them to be funny.
- Government expenses for freedom-of-information searches vary according to the explicitness of a request and how many documents have to be sorted through to find the required ones.
Origin
Early 17th century (as an adjective): from French explicite or Latin explicitus, past participle of explicare 'unfold' (see explicate).