explicit

Where does the word "explicit" come from? It comes from Latin explicare, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Explicit’s story begins in Latin: explicare meant “to unfold, to explain.” To unfold, to explain, from ex- (out) and plicare (to fold). It reached English by 1600s as explicit. Settled as the English word for something stated clearly and in detail. Today, explicit means stated clearly and in detail, with nothing implied or hidden.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient explicare "to unfold, to explain", to unfold, to explain, from ex- (out) and plicare (to fold).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s explicit "stated clearly and in detail, leaving nothing implied", settled as the English word for something stated clearly and in detail.