Clarification & Understanding Vocabulary

to remove uncertainty of meaning from; make clear

“Disambiguate between the two possible interpretations.”

Origin: Latin dis- `apart` + ambiguus `doubtful` + -ate

to make something clear; explain

“Can you elucidate your reasoning?”

Origin: Late Latin elucidare `to make clear` (from e- `out` + lucidus `clear`)

to make a statement or situation less confused

“Please clarify what you mean by 'soon'.”

Origin: Latin clarificare `to make clear` (from clarus `clear` + facere `to make`)

to analyze and develop an idea in detail

“Explicate the theory with concrete examples.”

Origin: Latin explicare `to unfold, explain` (from ex- `out` + plicare `to fold`)

to help explain or make something clear

“This example illuminates the underlying concept.”

Origin: Latin illuminare `to light up` (from in- `upon` + lumen `light`)

to make something easier to understand

“Let me demystify how the algorithm works.”

Origin: Latin de- `removal` + Greek mystikos `mysterious` + -fy

to present and explain a theory or idea in detail

“She expounded on the benefits of the new approach.”

Origin: Latin exponere `to set forth` (from ex- `out` + ponere `to place`)

to develop or present in detail

“Could you elaborate on that point?”

Origin: Latin elaborare `to work out` (from e- `out` + laborare `to work`)

to interpret or understand in a particular way

“How should we construe this clause?”

Origin: Latin construere `to heap together, build` (from con- `together` + struere `to pile`)

to analyze something in detail; break down into parts

“Let's parse the sentence to understand its meaning.”

Origin: Latin pars `part` (originally from grammatical analysis of sentence parts)

to analyze something by examining its components

“Unpack the assumptions behind this conclusion.”

Origin: English un- `reverse action` + pack (metaphorical extension)

to analyze by breaking down into components

“Deconstruct the argument to find its weaknesses.”

Origin: Latin de- `down` + construere `to build`

to extract the essential meaning or most important aspects

“Distill the report into key takeaways.”

Origin: Latin destillare `to drip down` (from de- `down` + stillare `to drip`)

to express the meaning using different words

“Let me paraphrase to confirm I understand.”

Origin: Greek paraphrasis `additional manner of expression` (from para `beside` + phrasis `speech`)

to summarize and state again the main points

“Let me recapitulate what we've agreed on.”

Origin: Latin recapitulare `to go over the main points` (from re- `again` + capitulum `chapter`)

to combine elements into a coherent whole

“Synthesize the findings into actionable recommendations.”

Origin: Greek synthesis `a putting together` (from syn `together` + tithenai `to place`)