Explanation \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; interpretation; 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)