explain
/ɪkˈspleɪn/verb
reporting verb
1- make (an idea, situation, or problem) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas解释（观点, 情况, 问题）; 讲解; 阐明; 说明：
with clause they explained that their lives centred on the religious rituals他们解释说他们的生活集中在宗教仪式上
with direct speech 'It's a mechanical device of great age,' the professor explained“这是一个极为古老的机械装置,"教授解释说
with obj. he explained the situation.他说明了情况。
1.1
- with obj. account for (an action or event) by giving a reason as excuse or justification解释（行为, 事件）的原因（或理由、正当性）：
Cassie found it necessary to explain her blackened eye
凯茜认为有必要解释一下她眼眶青肿的原因
with clause he makes athletes explain why they made a mistake他让运动员们解释出错的原因
no obj. I explained about Maureen calling round.我就莫林来访一事做了解释。
1.2
- with obj. be the cause of or motivating factor for是…的原因; 是…的激励因素：
her father's violence explains her pacificism
她父亲的暴力导致了她的反战观点。
with clause this would explain why so many adult children still live with their parents.这就是如此多的成年儿女仍然和父母亲生活在一起的原因。
1.3
explain something away
minimize the significance of an embarrassing fact or action by giving an excuse or justification为某事辩解; 为某事圆场。
短语
explain oneself
1
- expand on what one has said in order to make one's meaning clear把自己的意思解释清楚。
1.1
- give an account of one's motives or conduct in order to excuse or justify oneself解释自己的行为（或动机）; 为自己辩护：
he was too panicked to stay and explain himself to the policeman.
他太慌张了, 所以没有留下来向警察为自己辩护。
派生词
explainable
adjectiveexplainer
noun词源
late Middle English: from Latin explanare, based on planus 'plain'.