To make something clear or easy to understand by giving details or reasons about it.
From Latin 'explanare' (ex- 'out' + planare 'to flatten'), literally meaning 'to flatten out.' The metaphor is of smoothing out wrinkles or difficulties so something becomes flat and visible. It entered English in the 15th century.
The word 'explain' literally means to 'flatten out'—like smoothing a wrinkled piece of paper so you can read it clearly. That's actually how our brains work when we understand something: we're mentally 'flattening' confusing ideas into clear, organized thoughts!
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