1. (

• explain ,
• explicate

) make plain and comprehensible; "He explained the laws of physics to his students" ;

2. (

• explain ,

) define; "The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean" ;

3. (

• excuse ,
• explain ,

) serve as a reason or cause or justification of; "Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work"; "Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again" ;