explicates

Explicates is the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb explicate, meaning to explain or analyze in detail. The verb explicate traces its roots to Latin explicare, meaning to unfold, explain, or lay out. In scholarly writing, explicates is used to indicate that a subject is performing a careful, systematic unpacking of a concept, argument, or text.

In practice, explicates signals a methodical approach that emphasizes step-by-step clarification, often with reference to evidence or logical structure. This distinguishes explicating from more general or casual forms of explanation. The act of explicating is related to the noun explication, which denotes either the act itself or the detailed analysis produced, and to the agent noun explicator, a person who explicates. The noun explicate is generally not used as a stand-alone noun in standard English.

Usage notes: Explicates appears most often in formal or academic contexts, particularly in philosophy, literary criticism, linguistics, and critical theory. In everyday language, speakers typically use explain or analyze rather than explicate, unless the intention is to emphasize a rigorous, close-reading process.

Examples: The professor explicates the poem's imagery by tracing metaphors to its historical context. The philosopher explicates the argument by laying out the premises and showing how they support the conclusion.

See also: Explication, Explicate, Explication de texte, Explicator.