elicit

verb

elic·​it i-ˈli-sət 

elicited; eliciting; elicits

transitive verb

1

: to call forth or draw out (something, such as information or a response)

her remarks elicited cheers

2

: to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential)

hypnotism elicited his hidden fears

elicitation

i-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

ˌē-

noun

elicitor

i-ˈli-sə-tər 

noun

Did you know?

The Latin Roots of Elicit

Elicit comes from the Latin verb elicere, from the prefix e-, meaning "away," and lacere, "to entice by charm or attraction."

Synonyms

• educe
• evoke
• inspire
• raise

Choose the Right Synonym for elicit

educe, evoke, elicit, extract, extort mean to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved.

educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Examples of elicit in a Sentence

If ever there was a two-way pleasure street, it's the delight a baby takes in being tickled and the joy the parent experiences in the tumble of laughter it elicits. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 17 Jan. 2005

Gingrich elicits perhaps the greatest sympathy when he talks about the challenge of graduating from a rabble-rousing backbencher in the House minority to presiding over (and trying to control) the first Republican majority in 40 years. —Richard L. Berke, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1998

In a wild, captive wolf that is not socialized to man, approach will elicit flight and, if the wolf is cornered, a defensive reaction may be triggered, which is termed the critical-distance reaction. —Michael W. Fox, The Soul of the Wolf, 1980

She's been trying to elicit the support of other committee members.

My question elicited no response.

She's been unable to elicit much sympathy from the public.

Recent Examples on the Web

What better place to abscond to than your grandparents’ bougie house, a place where the mere mention of your mother’s name elicits automatic rage? —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024

More to Read Student who elicited ‘F— the police’ from L.A. council candidate works for Kevin de León Oct. 25, 2024 Who was behind the City Hall audio leak? —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

And second, experimentalists have grown more capable of eliciting and measuring quantum phenomena. —Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024

Gauge your reaction: Bad actors can craft fake headlines using evocative language to elicit an emotional response from the reader. —Erielle Delzer, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin elicitus, past participle of elicere, from e- + lacere to allure

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

elicit

verb

elic·​it i-ˈlis-ət 

: to draw out often by skillful questioning or discussion

elicit the truth from a witness

elicitation

i-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

elicitor

i-ˈli-sə-tər 

noun