implicit

Where does the word "implicit" come from? It comes from Latin implicare, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).

Implicit’s story begins in Latin: implicare meant “to fold in, to entangle.” To fold in, to entangle, from in- (in) and plicare (to fold). It reached English by 1590s as implicit. Settled as the English word for something suggested without being directly stated. Today, implicit means implied or suggested, though not directly expressed.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient implicare "to fold in, to entangle", to fold in, to entangle, from in- (in) and plicare (to fold).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1590s implicit "implied though not plainly stated", settled as the English word for something suggested without being directly stated.