Ex'pla-nā'tion, n.

n. [Lat. explanatio, Sp. explanacion, Pr. explanatio, It. spianazione.]

1. The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.
2. That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.
3. The meaning attributed to any thing by one who explains or expounds it; understanding. “Different explanations of the doctrine of the Trinity.” Burnet.
4. A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation, agreement, or good understanding of parties who have been at variance; as, to come to an explanation.

Syn.—Definition; description; explication; exposition; interpretation; illustration; recital; account; detail. See DEFINITION.