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Explanation synonyms

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statement
The thing stated; account, declaration, assertion, etc.
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  1. The thing stated; account, declaration, assertion, etc.
  2. A formal oral or written declaration, especially with regard to facts or claims:
  3. A declaration of fact or an allegation by a witness; a piece of sworn testimony. See also closing statement, evidence, and opening statement. A declaration of fact or an allegation by a witness; a piece of sworn testimony. See also closing statement, evidence, and opening statement.
elucidation
A making clear; the act of elucidating or that which elucidates, as an explanation, an exposition, an illustration; as, one example may serve for further elucidation of the subject.
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  1. A making clear; the act of elucidating or that which elucidates, as an explanation, an exposition, an illustration; as, one example may serve for further elucidation of the subject.
clarification
The act of freeing from obscurities.
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  1. The act of freeing from obscurities.
  2. The act of clarifying; the act or process of making clear or transparent by freeing visible impurities; particularly, the clearing or fining of liquid substances from feculent matter by the separation of the insoluble particles which prevent the liquid from being transparent.
interpretation
The act or result of interpreting; explanation, meaning, translation, exposition, etc.
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  1. The act or result of interpreting; explanation, meaning, translation, exposition, etc.
  2. A performer's distinctive personal version of a song, dance, piece of music, or role; a rendering.
  3. The expression of a person's conception of a work of art, a topic, etc. through acting, playing, writing, criticizing, etc.
narration
Writing or speaking that narrates, as history, biography, or fiction
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  1. Writing or speaking that narrates, as history, biography, or fiction
  2. A story or account; narrative
  3. The act or process of narrating; the telling of a story or of happenings
recital
The act of telling the order of events of something in detail the order of events; narration.
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  1. The act of telling the order of events of something in detail the order of events; narration.
  2. (Law) A formal, preliminary statement in a deed or writing in order to explain the reasons on which the transaction is founded, prior to a positive allegation.
  3. Formal statement(s) in a written document that sets forth certain facts that form a basis or reason for the agreement or transaction which follows; generally prefaced with the term “whereas,” as in “Whereas, the parties intend by this agreement to set forth their agreement to divide all their marital property in anticipation of divorce.” Formal statement(s) in a written document that sets forth certain facts that form a basis or reason for the agreement or transaction which follows; generally prefaced with the term “whereas,” as in “Whereas, the parties intend by this agreement to set forth their agreement to divide all their marital property in anticipation of divorce.”
rendition
A given visual reproduction of something. [from 20th c.]
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  1. A given visual reproduction of something. [from 20th c.]
  2. Translation between languages, or between forms of a language; a translated text or work. [from 17th c.]
  3. The transfer of a prisoner or suspect from one country to another, often to avoid legal restrictions on interrogation or prosecution.
showing
A presentation of evidence, facts, or figures.
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  1. A presentation of evidence, facts, or figures.
  2. A result, a judgement.
  3. Performance, as in a competition or test of skill:
display
A mere show of something that is not genuine
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  1. A mere show of something that is not genuine
  2. (Biochemistry) An in vitro method by which genetically engineered proteins are placed on the surface of a biological entity (such as a bacteriophage, yeast, or ribosome) so that the properties of these proteins and those they bind to can be analyzed and manipulated for research purposes.
  3. A demonstration or manifestation:
exposition
The first section of certain musical forms, which introduces the main theme or themes, as in a sonata, or all the voices, as in a fugue
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  1. The first section of certain musical forms, which introduces the main theme or themes, as in a sonata, or all the voices, as in a fugue
  2. A statement or rhetorical discourse intended to give information about or an explanation of difficult material.
  3. The action of putting something out to public view; for example in a display or show.
elaboration
(Computing) Setting up a hierarchy of calculated constants in a language such as Ada so that the values of one or more of them determine others further down in the hierarchy.
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  1. (Computing) Setting up a hierarchy of calculated constants in a language such as Ada so that the values of one or more of them determine others further down in the hierarchy.
  2. The natural process of formation or assimilation, performed by the living organs in animals and vegetables, by which a crude substance is changed into something of a higher order; as, the elaboration of food into chyme; the elaboration of chyle, or sap, or tissues.
  3. (Electronics) The process of taking a parsed tree of an abstract integrated circuit definition in a language such as Verilog and creating a hierarchy of module instances that ends with primitive (atomic) gates and statements.
demonstration
An illustration or explanation, as of a theory or product, by exemplification or practical application:
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  1. An illustration or explanation, as of a theory or product, by exemplification or practical application:
  2. An expression or manifestation, as of one's feelings:
  3. A practical showing of how something works or is used; specif., such a showing of a product in an effort to sell it
specification
A single item or article that has been specified.
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  1. A single item or article that has been specified.
  2. An exact written description of an invention by an applicant for a patent.
  3. A detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially a statement prescribing materials, dimensions, and quality of work for something to be built, installed, or manufactured.
definition
A statement or description of the fundamental character or scope of something:
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  1. A statement or description of the fundamental character or scope of something:
  2. The power of a lens to show (an object) in clear, sharp outline
  3. The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning:
confession
An admission that one has committed a crime or any other incriminating statement made by a person. An admission that one has committed a crime or any other incriminating statement made by a person.
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  1. An admission that one has committed a crime or any other incriminating statement made by a person. An admission that one has committed a crime or any other incriminating statement made by a person.
  2. The act or process of confessing, as in telling one's life story as a series of failings or tribulations.
  3. An admission of guilt, esp. formally in writing, as by a person charged with a crime
description
A kind or sort:
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  1. A kind or sort:
  2. A statement or an account describing something:
  3. The act, process, art, or technique of describing or picturing in words
telling
The act of narration.
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  1. The act of narration.
  2. The disclosure of information.
  3. (Archaic) Counting, numbering.
talking
The act of a person who talks; discussion; conversation
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  1. The act of a person who talks; discussion; conversation
  2. The action of the verb talk.
writing
(As a modifier) Intended for or used in writing.
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  1. (As a modifier) Intended for or used in writing.
  2. (Countable) The style of writing of a person.
  3. Meaningful letters or characters that constitute readable matter:
expression
A showing by a symbol, sign, figures, etc.
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  1. A showing by a symbol, sign, figures, etc.
  2. A showing of feeling, character, etc.
  3. The act of expressing, conveying, or representing in words, art, music, or movement; a manifestation:
information
A person or agency answering questions as a service to others
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  1. A person or agency answering questions as a service to others
  2. Knowledge or facts learned, especially about a certain subject or event.
  3. The act of informing or the condition of being informed; communication of knowledge:
answer
An act in response or retaliation:
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  1. An act in response or retaliation:
  2. Something markedly similar to another of the same class:
  3. To respond to a pleading, discovery request, or other judicial process or procedural step. To respond to a pleading, discovery request, or other judicial process or procedural step. To address or counter allegations, account for one’s actions, or otherwise put up a defense. To assume the liability or responsibility for another’s actions. To pay a debt or other liability; to suffer the consequences for one’s actions. A pleading that is a defendant’s principal response to a plaintiff’s complaint. It denies, admits, or otherwise addresses each of the allegations in the complaint. It also usually sets forth the defendant’s affirmative defenses and counterclaims. See also reply.
account
Worth, standing, or importance:
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  1. Worth, standing, or importance:
  2. A basis or ground:
  3. In the common law, a legal action to require a person to account for money or property. See also accounting.
reason
The ability to think, form judgments, draw conclusions, etc.
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  1. The ability to think, form judgments, draw conclusions, etc.
  2. A declaration made to explain or justify action, decision, or conviction:
  3. A fact or cause that explains why something exists or has occurred:
illustration
An example, story, analogy, etc. used to help explain or make something clear
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  1. An example, story, analogy, etc. used to help explain or make something clear
  2. The act of illustrating or the state of being illustrated:
  3. An example that is used to clarify or explain something.
description
A statement or passage that describes
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  1. A statement or passage that describes
  2. A statement or an account describing something:
  3. The act, process, art, or technique of describing or picturing in words
comment
A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude.
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  1. A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude.
  2. A written note intended as an explanation, illustration, or criticism of a passage in a book or other writing; an annotation.
  3. A scholarly article or essay, usually written by a law student and published in a law review, analyzing a judicial decision and its context in the law. See also annotation and note.
justification
Something, such as a fact or circumstance, that justifies:
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  1. Something, such as a fact or circumstance, that justifies:
  2. A showing of an appropriate reason for one’s actions. A showing of an appropriate reason for one’s actions.
  3. A reason, explanation, or excuse which provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.
rationalization
The act, process, or practice of rationalizing.
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  1. The act, process, or practice of rationalizing.
  2. A reorganization of a company or organization in order to improve its efficiency.
  3. A statement of one's motives, or of the causes of some event.
narrative
An explanation or interpretation of events in accordance with a particular theory, ideology, or point of view:
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  1. An explanation or interpretation of events in accordance with a particular theory, ideology, or point of view:
  2. A narrated account; a story.
  3. Any official or standard account or explanation, as of a sequence of related events
story
The background information regarding something:
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  1. The background information regarding something:
  2. The telling of a happening or connected series of happenings, whether true or fictitious; account; narration
  3. An account or report regarding the facts of an event or group of events:
tale
A narrative of real or imaginary events; a story.
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  1. A narrative of real or imaginary events; a story.
  2. A literary composition in narrative form, often, specif., an unsophisticated, somewhat digressive one
  3. A story or account of true, legendary, or fictitious events; narrative
history
An account of what has or might have happened, esp. in the form of a narrative, play, story, or tale
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  1. An account of what has or might have happened, esp. in the form of a narrative, play, story, or tale
  2. A systematic account of this, usually in chronological order with an analysis and explanation
  3. The past events relating to a particular thing:
annotation
Comments that analyze, explain, or criticize, or a collection of brief summaries of appellate cases that have applied or interpreted, a particular statutory provision. These comments and summaries are appended to, and published with, the statute in a set of volumes. For example, the United States Code Annotated contains the statutes of the United States and, after each statutory provision are the comments and summaries pertaining to that provision. Comments that analyze, explain, or criticize, or a collection of brief summaries of appellate cases that have applied or interpreted, a particular statutory provision. These comments and summaries are appended to, and published with, the statute in a set of volumes. For example, the United States Code Annotated contains the statutes of the United States and, after each statutory provision are the comments and summaries pertaining to that provision.
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  1. Comments that analyze, explain, or criticize, or a collection of brief summaries of appellate cases that have applied or interpreted, a particular statutory provision. These comments and summaries are appended to, and published with, the statute in a set of volumes. For example, the United States Code Annotated contains the statutes of the United States and, after each statutory provision are the comments and summaries pertaining to that provision. Comments that analyze, explain, or criticize, or a collection of brief summaries of appellate cases that have applied or interpreted, a particular statutory provision. These comments and summaries are appended to, and published with, the statute in a set of volumes. For example, the United States Code Annotated contains the statutes of the United States and, after each statutory provision are the comments and summaries pertaining to that provision.
  2. The act or process of furnishing critical commentary or explanatory notes.
  3. A critical or explanatory note or notes
glossary
A list of difficult, technical, or foreign terms with definitions or translations, as for some particular author, field of knowledge, etc., often included in alphabetical listing at the end of a textbook
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  1. A list of difficult, technical, or foreign terms with definitions or translations, as for some particular author, field of knowledge, etc., often included in alphabetical listing at the end of a textbook
footnote
A short piece of text, often numbered, placed at the bottom of a printed page, that adds a comment, citation, reference etc, to a designated part of the main text
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  1. A short piece of text, often numbered, placed at the bottom of a printed page, that adds a comment, citation, reference etc, to a designated part of the main text
  2. A note of comment or reference at the bottom of a page or, now often, at the end of a chapter or book
  3. Something related to but of lesser importance than a larger work or occurrence:
anecdote
A short, entertaining account of some happening, usually personal or biographical
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  1. A short, entertaining account of some happening, usually personal or biographical
  2. (Obs.) Little-known, entertaining facts of history or biography
example
One serving as a pattern of a specific kind:
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  1. One serving as a pattern of a specific kind:
  2. A punishment given as a warning or deterrent:
  3. A similar case that constitutes a model or precedent:
apology
An explanation or excuse:
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  1. An explanation or excuse:
  2. An acknowledgment of some fault, injury, insult, etc., with an expression of regret and a plea for pardon
  3. A formal spoken or written defense of some idea, religion, philosophy, etc.
excuse
(Informal) An inferior example:
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  1. (Informal) An inferior example:
  2. A plea in defense of or explanation for some action or behavior; apology
  3. A defense or justification of an individual’s act or failure to act; a defense in criminal law that an individual’s actions cannot constitute a crime because of coercion, or some other cause that places the actions beyond the individual’s volition or control. A defense or justification of an individual’s act or failure to act; a defense in criminal law that an individual’s actions cannot constitute a crime because of coercion, or some other cause that places the actions beyond the individual’s volition or control.
alibi
An explanation offered to avoid blame or justify action; an excuse.
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  1. An explanation offered to avoid blame or justify action; an excuse.
  2. (Law) A form of defense whereby a defendant attempts to prove that he or she was elsewhere when the crime in question was committed.
  3. (Law) The defensive plea or fact that an accused person was elsewhere than at the scene of the crime with which the person is charged
plea
A statement in defense or justification; excuse
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  1. A statement in defense or justification; excuse
  2. An answer in an equity case telling why a suit should be barred, delayed, or dismissed.
  3. A special answer in an equity action, setting forth in lieu of a detailed response a basis for dismissing, delaying, or barring the suit.
defense
Justification or support by speech or writing; vindication
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  1. Justification or support by speech or writing; vindication
  2. A means or method of defending or protecting.
  3. Collectively, the attorneys representing a defendant and any laypeople assisting them in their efforts, particularly in a criminal trial. In litigation, generally a factual denial or an assertion of facts or law that counters or negates a claim made by the other party. See also self defense. Collectively, the attorneys representing a defendant and any laypeople assisting them in their efforts, particularly in a criminal trial. In litigation, generally a factual denial or an assertion of facts or law that counters or negates a claim made by the other party. See also self defense.
rationale
The fundamental reasons for something; the basis:
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  1. The fundamental reasons for something; the basis:
  2. A statement, exposition, or explanation of reasons or principles
analysis
A statement of the results of this process
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  1. A statement of the results of this process
  2. The separation of a substance into its constituent elements, usually by chemical means, for the study and identification of each component. &diamf3; Qualitative analysis determines what substances are present in a compound. &diamf3; Quantitative analysis determines how much of each substance is present in a compound.
  3. (Linguis.) The use of word order and uninflected function words rather than inflection to express syntactic relationships
criticism
A comment, review, article, etc. expressing such analysis and judgment
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  1. A comment, review, article, etc. expressing such analysis and judgment
  2. The act of making judgments; analysis of qualities and evaluation of comparative worth; esp., the critical consideration and judgment of literary or artistic work
  3. The scientific or scholarly investigation of texts or documents to discover their origin, history, or original form
exegesis
An instance of this
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  1. An instance of this
  2. An exposition or explanation of a text, especially a religious one.
  3. Critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text.
gloss
An extensive commentary, often accompanying a text or publication.
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  1. An extensive commentary, often accompanying a text or publication.
  2. A note of comment or explanation accompanying a text, as in a footnote or margin
  3. A brief explanatory note or translation of a difficult or technical expression usually inserted in the margin or between lines of a text or manuscript.
key
A button that is depressed to cause a corresponding character or function to be typed or executed by a typewriter or to be accepted as input by a computer.
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  1. A button that is depressed to cause a corresponding character or function to be typed or executed by a typewriter or to be accepted as input by a computer.
  2. The principal tonality of a work:
  3. A system of related notes or tones based on and named after a certain note (keynote, tonic) and forming a given scale; tonality
solution
A method or process of dealing with a problem:
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  1. A method or process of dealing with a problem:
  2. The act or process of dispersing one or more liquid, gaseous, or solid substances in another, usually a liquid, so as to form a homogeneous mixture
  3. The act, method, or process of solving a problem
commentary
A narrative of historical events of which one has personal experience:
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  1. A narrative of historical events of which one has personal experience:
  2. A historical narrative based on personal experience
  3. A series of explanatory notes or annotations, often forming a treatise on a text
note
The characteristic vocal sound made by a songbird or other animal:
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  1. The characteristic vocal sound made by a songbird or other animal:
  2. The sign of a particular quality or emotion:
  3. A brief statement of a fact, experience, etc. written down for review, as an aid to memory, or to inform someone else; memorandum
summary
A brief statement mentioning the main points of something:
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  1. A brief statement mentioning the main points of something:
  2. A brief statement or account covering the substance or main points; digest; abridgment; compendium
report
(Law) A formal account or record of a court case, decision, etc.
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  1. (Law) A formal account or record of a court case, decision, etc.
  2. A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail:
  3. A statement or account brought in and presented, often for publication
brief
(Chiefly Brit.) A set of instructions for the participants in some project, investigation, etc., indicating the scope of their responsibilities
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  1. (Chiefly Brit.) A set of instructions for the participants in some project, investigation, etc., indicating the scope of their responsibilities
  2. (Law) A document concisely stating the legal points being made, including often the citation and explanation of supporting legal authority.
  3. A written statement prepared by a lawyer and submitted to the court that outlines the pertinent facts of the case, the questions of law to be decided, the position of the lawyer’s client as to those questions, and the legal arguments and authorities (for example, statutes and appellate court decisions) that support that position. See also memorandum. A written statement prepared by a lawyer and submitted to the court that outlines the pertinent facts of the case, the questions of law to be decided, the position of the lawyer’s client as to those questions, and the legal arguments and authorities (for example, statutes and appellate court decisions) that support that position. See also memorandum.
breakdown
An analysis, an outline, or a summary consisting of itemized data or essentials.
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  1. An analysis, an outline, or a summary consisting of itemized data or essentials.
  2. The act or process of failing to function or continue.
  3. A failure to work or function properly
evidence
(Law) Something presented in a legal proceeding, as a statement of a witness, an object, etc., which bears on or establishes a point in question
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  1. (Law) Something presented in a legal proceeding, as a statement of a witness, an object, etc., which bears on or establishes a point in question
  2. A thing or set of things helpful in forming a conclusion or judgment:
  3. A thing, a document, or the testimony of a person that bears on the truth or falsity of an assertion made in litigation; the totality of such items introduced in a trial; the legal doctrines pertaining to the admission, use, and evaluation of such items. A thing, a document, or the testimony of a person that bears on the truth or falsity of an assertion made in litigation; the totality of such items introduced in a trial; the legal doctrines pertaining to the admission, use, and evaluation of such items.
clarification
The act of freeing from obscurities.
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  1. The act of freeing from obscurities.
  2. The act of clarifying; the act or process of making clear or transparent by freeing visible impurities; particularly, the clearing or fining of liquid substances from feculent matter by the separation of the insoluble particles which prevent the liquid from being transparent.
construction
The interpretation or explanation given to an expression or a statement:
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  1. The interpretation or explanation given to an expression or a statement:
  2. A structure, such as a building, framework, or model.
  3. Something fashioned or devised systematically:
decipherment
Decryption.
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  1. Decryption.
  2. The analysis of documents written in ancient languages, where the language is unknown, or knowledge of the language has been lost.
elucidation
A making clear; the act of elucidating or that which elucidates, as an explanation, an exposition, an illustration; as, one example may serve for further elucidation of the subject.
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  1. A making clear; the act of elucidating or that which elucidates, as an explanation, an exposition, an illustration; as, one example may serve for further elucidation of the subject.
exegesis
An instance of this
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  1. An instance of this
  2. An exposition or explanation of a text, especially a religious one.
  3. Critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text.
exposition
The first section of certain musical forms, which introduces the main theme or themes, as in a sonata, or all the voices, as in a fugue
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  1. The first section of certain musical forms, which introduces the main theme or themes, as in a sonata, or all the voices, as in a fugue
  2. The action of putting something out to public view; for example in a display or show.
  3. A setting forth of facts, ideas, etc.; detailed explanation
illumination
The designs, tracings, etc. used in decorating manuscripts
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  1. The designs, tracings, etc. used in decorating manuscripts
  2. An example of this art.
  3. The art or act of decorating a text, page, or initial letter with ornamental designs, images, or lettering.
illustration
An example, story, analogy, etc. used to help explain or make something clear
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  1. An example, story, analogy, etc. used to help explain or make something clear
  2. The act of illustrating or the state of being illustrated:
  3. A picture or image that is used to decorate or clarify a text.
interpretation
A performer's distinctive personal version of a song, dance, piece of music, or role; a rendering.
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  1. A performer's distinctive personal version of a song, dance, piece of music, or role; a rendering.
  2. The act or result of interpreting; explanation, meaning, translation, exposition, etc.
  3. An explanation or conceptualization by a critic of a work of literature, painting, music, or other art form; an exegesis.
account
A report relating to one's conduct:
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  1. A report relating to one's conduct:
  2. Worth, standing, or importance:
  3. A basis or ground:
justification
The condition or fact of being justified.
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  1. The condition or fact of being justified.
  2. A reason, explanation, or excuse which provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.
  3. A showing of an appropriate reason for one’s actions. A showing of an appropriate reason for one’s actions.
rationale
The fundamental reasons, or rational basis, for something
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  1. The fundamental reasons, or rational basis, for something
  2. A statement, exposition, or explanation of reasons or principles
rationalization
(Psychiatry) The concealment of true motivation in some non-threatening way.
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  1. (Psychiatry) The concealment of true motivation in some non-threatening way.
  2. (Mathematics) The simplification of an expression without changing its value.
  3. A statement of one's motives, or of the causes of some event.
reason
A declaration made to explain or justify action, decision, or conviction:
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  1. A declaration made to explain or justify action, decision, or conviction:
  2. A normal mental state; sanity:
  3. A fact or cause that explains why something exists or has occurred:
Find another word for explanation. In this page you can discover 80 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for explanation, like: statement, elucidation, clarification, interpretation, narration, recital, rendition, showing, display, exposition and explication.

Sentence Examples

  • He gave no explanation and headed toward her bedroom.

  • His only explanation was that he liked being alone.

  • She waited for an explanation, but he rode on in silence.

  • He would be expecting some explanation for her request, but what?

  • This fluctuation finds a parallel in the age at which the Levites were to serve; for neither has any reasonable explanation been found on the traditional view.

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