Clarify
/ˈklær.ɪ.faɪ/noun
To make something clear or easier to understand.
Did you know?Clarify comes from the same ancient root as words for brightness and fame, because in Latin, what was “clear” was also what was visibly shining and unmistakable.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱel-
“to be bright, clear, or shout”
Latin
Latin
clarus
“clear, bright, loud, famous”
Late Latin
Latin
clarificare
“to make clear or bright”
Old French
Old French
clarifier
“to clarify, make clear”
Middle English
English
clarifien
“to make clear or plain”
Modern English
English
clarify
“to make something clear or easier to understand”