explicit

explicit · adjective¹

1. Latin · derived fromexplicitus“disentangled, easy”
2. French · borrowed fromexplicite
3. English todayexplicit

Borrowed from French explicite, from Latin explicitus (“disentangled, easy”), variant of explicātus.

explicit · phrase²

1. Latin · learned borrowing fromexplicitus est liber“the book is set in order, ended”
2. English todayexplicit

Abbreviated from Latin explicitus est liber (“the book is set in order, ended”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 1609 Very specific, clear, or detailed.
• from 1971 Containing material (e.g. language or film footage) that might be deemed offensive or graphic through clear and direct expressions.