Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-PLAIN, v.t. [L. explano; ex and planus, plain, open, smooth; Sp. explanar; It. spianare. See Plain.]

To make plain, manifest or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to expound; to illustrate by discourse, or by notes. The first business of a preacher is to explain his text. Notes and comments are intended to explain the Scriptures.