elicit

Definitions

From Latin elicere: e- (out) + licit (a form related to lacere 'to lure/draw'). Although it sits near the e-lect family by sound, elicit comes from a 'lure out' root, not legere. The modern sense fits either way: you draw a reaction out of someone, as if coaxing it into the open.

Common Collocations

• 1.elicit a response引出回应
• 2.elicit information探出信息
• 3.elicit a reaction激起反应
• 4.elicit sympathy博得同情

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Her question elicited a burst of laughter.

• 2.

  The survey aims to elicit honest feedback.

Easily Confused

elicit vs illicit — Identical in sound but unrelated. elicit (verb) = draw out (elicit a response). illicit (adjective) = illegal, not allowed (illicit drugs). If you can replace it with 'draw out,' it's elicit; if with 'forbidden,' it's illicit.