elicit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
    raise; fire; enkindle; arouse; evoke; kindle; provoke.
    • arouse pity
    • raise a smile
    • evoke sympathy
  2. verb deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning)
    draw out; extract; educe; evoke.
    • We drew out some interesting linguistic data from the native informant
  3. verb derive by reason
    • elicit a solution

WordNet

E*lic"it adjective
Etymology
L. elictus, p. p. of elicere to elicit; e + lacere to entice. Cf. Delight, Lace.
Definitions
  1. Elicited; drawn out; made real; open; evident. Obs. "An elicit act of equity." Jer. Taylor.
E*lic"it transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Elicited; present participle & verbal noun Eliciting
Definitions
  1. To draw out or entice forth; to bring to light; to bring out against the will; to deduce by reason or argument; as, to elicit truth by discussion.

Webster 1913