What is "explained"

Explain \Ex*plain"\ ([e^]ks*pl[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Explained([e^]ks*pl[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Explaining.] [L. explandare to flatten, spread out, explain; ex out + plandare to make level or plain, planus plain: cf. OF. esplaner, explaner. See Plain,a., and cf. Esplanade.]

1. To flatten; to spread out; to unfold; to expand. [Obs.]

   The horse-chestnut is . . . ready to explain its leaf.
   --Evelyn.

2. To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to expound; to unfold and illustrate the meaning of; as, to explain a chapter of the Bible.

   Commentators to explain the difficult passages to you.
   --Gay.

   To explain away, to get rid of by explanation. ``Those explain the meaning quite away.''
   --Pope.

   Syn: To expound; interpret; elucidate; clear up.

vb. (en-past of: explain)