expliquent

Expliquant is a neologism occasionally used in discussions of explanation to designate the portion of an account that conveys understanding. In this usage, an explicant comprises the concrete, communicative elements that render an explanation accessible—such as definitions, diagrams, models, analogies, and worked examples. The term is not standardized or widely adopted in mainstream philosophy of science or rhetoric, but it appears in pedagogical and theoretical writings as a way to emphasize the material content that makes an explanation intelligible.

Etymology and relation to other terms: Expliquant is typically presented as derived from explicate, modeled on the familiar Latin-based terms explanans and explanandum. In these discussions, explicants are discussed in relation to explanandum (the phenomenon to be explained) and explanans (the statements that do the explaining). Some authors treat explicant as a broader category that includes explanatory material found in the explanans, while others use it as a distinct subcomponent focused on illustration and pedagogy.

Applications and examples: In science communication and teaching, explicants are the elements that make an explanation credible and graspable. For example, a diagram showing relationships, a simplified mathematical model, or a concrete analogy can function as explicants by linking abstract principles to observable understanding. The concept is particularly useful when analyzing how explanations succeed in shifting a learner’s or reader’s comprehension.

Limitations and status: Because explicant is not a standard term, its meaning can vary across authors, and its use may introduce ambiguity with established vocabulary. When employed, it should be clearly defined and consistently distinguished from explanans and explanandum. See also explication, explanans, explanandum.