Ex`pla*na"tion (?), n. [L. explanatio: cf. OF. esplanation.] 1. The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.
2. That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.
3. The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; inerpretation; sense.
Different explanations [of the Trinity].
Bp. Burnet.
4. A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.
Syn. -- Definition; description; explication; exposition; interpretation; detail. See Definition.
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