elicit
elicit Lexical Profile
elicit Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To evoke, draw out, or obtain (a response, answer, reaction, or fact) from someone through questioning, stimulus, or action.
"The professor used open-ended questions to elicit thoughtful responses from the students during the seminar."
To deduce, bring to light, or draw out something latent or potential (such as a principle, truth, or conclusion).
"Careful analysis of the historical manuscripts allowed researchers to elicit the underlying principles of the ancient legal code."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with its near-homophone 'illicit', which is an adjective meaning illegal or forbidden by custom, whereas 'elicit' is always a transitive verb meaning to draw out a response.
• Rhymes for elicit
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Latin 'elicitus', the past participle of 'elicere' (to draw out or bring forth), formed from 'e-' (out) and 'lacere' (to entice or lure).