Expatiation: meaning, definitions and examples

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expatiation

 

[ ɛksˌpeɪʃiˈeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

detailed explanation

Expatiation refers to the act of speaking or writing at length or in detail about a particular subject. It often involves providing extensive examples or elaborating on concepts to clarify or amplify the initial idea. In academia and literature, expatiation is considered valuable when discussing complex theories or ideas, as it allows for a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. This term can also imply a degree of digression from the main point, as the speaker or writer may explore related ideas.

Synonyms

digression, discussion, elaboration, expansion, explanation

Examples of usage

  • The professor's expatiation on the topic of climate change captivated the audience.
  • Her expatiation during the lecture provided valuable insight into the intricate legal issues.
  • In his book, the author’s expatiation on historical events painted a vivid picture.
  • The lawyer's expatiation during the trial helped clarify the complex legal matter.

Translations

Translations of the word "expatiation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expansão

🇮🇳 व्याख्या

🇩🇪 Ausdehnung

🇮🇩 penjelasan

🇺🇦 експатація

🇵🇱 ekspansja

🇯🇵 拡張

🇫🇷 expansion

🇪🇸 expansión

🇹🇷 genişleme

🇰🇷 확장

🇸🇦 توسع

🇨🇿 rozšíření

🇸🇰 rozšírenie

🇨🇳 扩展

🇸🇮 širitev

🇮🇸 útbreiðsla

🇰🇿 кеңейту

🇬🇪 გაფართოება

🇦🇿 genişlənmə

🇲🇽 expansión

Word origin

The term 'expatiation' has its roots in the Latin word 'expatiari', which means 'to wander' or 'to roam freely'. This is derived from the prefix 'ex-', indicating 'out', and 'spatium', meaning 'space' or 'room'. The transition from the literal sense of wandering to the figurative sense of elaboration and detailed explanation occurred during the 17th century. Initially, it was used in English literature to denote a discourse that expands upon a particular theme, allowing the speaker or writer to traverse various facets of the subject matter. Over time, the term has been adopted in various contexts, including academia, rhetoric, and everyday conversation, where subjects are explored in depth, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of complex topics.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,938, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.