n. [ L. explanatio: cf. OF. esplanation. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense. [ 1913 Webster ]
Different explanations [ of the Trinity ]. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.
Syn. -- Definition; description; explication; exposition; interpretation; detail. See Definition. [ 1913 Webster ]