verb
elicit
ih-LIH-siht
verb
1
To draw out a response, reaction, or piece of information from someone, often through careful questioning.
"The lawyer's question was designed to elicit a confession."
"Her joke elicited a round of laughter from the audience."
How to Use Elicit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring out a reaction, answer, or piece of information from someone.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "illicit," which means illegal — they sound similar but are unrelated in meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
elicit a response
elicit information
elicit a reaction
Word Forms
elicited past tense, elicits singular
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The lawyer's question was designed to _____ a confession.
Etymology
From Latin ēliciō, meaning "to draw forth."