different between explain vs vow
explain
English
Etymology
From Middle English explanen, from Old French explaner, from Latin explan? (“I flatten, spread out, make plain or clear, explain”), from ex- (“out”) + plan? (“I flatten, make level”), from planus (“level, plain”); see plain and plane. Compare esplanade, splanade. Displaced Old English ?ere??an.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /?k?sple?n/, /?k?sple?n/
- Rhymes: -e?n
Verb
explain (third-person singular simple present explains, present participle explaining, simple past and past participle explained)
- To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
- To give a valid excuse for past behavior.
- (obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.
- (obsolete) To unfold or make visible.
- April 14, 1684, John Evelyn, a letter sent to the Royal Society concerning the damage done to his gardens by the preceding winter
- The horse-chestnut is […] ready to explain its leaf.
- April 14, 1684, John Evelyn, a letter sent to the Royal Society concerning the damage done to his gardens by the preceding winter
- (intransitive) To make something plain or intelligible.
Synonyms
- (give a sufficiently detailed report): expound, elaborate, recce
Derived terms
- afore-explained
- explain away
- explainer
- mansplain
- please explain
- -splain
Related terms
- explanation
- explanatory
Translations
Further reading
- explain in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- explain in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
- explain at OneLook Dictionary Search
explain From the web:
- what explains the shape of a demand curve
- what explains why the constitution was written
- what explains why the renaissance began in italy
- what explains how the particles in gases behave
- what explains the similarities in the pacific cultures
- what explains the existence of analogous structures
- what is the shape of demand curve
vow
English
Etymology
From Middle English vowe, voue, that from Old French vut, in turn from Latin v?tum (“a promise, dedication, vow”), from vov?re (“to promise, vow”). Doublet of vote.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /va?/
- Rhymes: -a?
Noun
vow (plural vows)
- A solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.
- A declaration or assertion.
- (obsolete) A votive offering.
- 1786, Richard Payne Knight, The Worship of Priapus:
- There are also waxen vows, that represent other parts of the body mixed with them; but of these there are few in comparison of the number of the Priapi.
- 1786, Richard Payne Knight, The Worship of Priapus:
Usage notes
- One normally makes or takes a vow, or simply vows (see below).
- Commonly mentioned vows include those of silence, obedience, poverty, chastity, and celibacy.
- 'to keep/pay/fulfill a vow' = to honor a vow
- 'to break a vow' = to dishonor a vow
Translations
Verb
vow (third-person singular simple present vows, present participle vowing, simple past and past participle vowed)
- (transitive, intransitive) To make a vow; to promise.
- When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.
- 1673, Richard Baxter, Christian Directory
- We do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).
- (transitive) To make a vow regarding (something).
- The wronged woman vowed revenge.
- To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.
- The rebels vowed to continue their fight.
Translations
Derived terms
Related terms
Further reading
- vow in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- vow in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
- vow at OneLook Dictionary Search
Anagrams
- WOV, WVO
vow From the web:
- what vowels
- what vows do nuns take
- what vows do priests take
- what vowels are there
- what vowel is used the most
- what vows do catholic priests take
- what vows are renewed at confirmation
- what vows do jesuits take
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