elicitation
UK[ɪˌlɪsɪˈteɪʃn]US[ɪˌlɪsɪˈteɪʃn]
n
The act of drawing out or bringing forth information, a response, or a reaction.
n
The process of calling forth or evoking something latent or potential.
Morpheme Breakdown
e
licit
ation
e
out
licit
lawful/permitted
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'elicitation' has a legalistic origin, tracing back to the Latin verb elicere, meaning "to draw out by trick or magic, to entice out." This verb itself is a compound of e- (a variant of ex-, meaning "out") and lacere (an archaic verb meaning "to entice, deceive"). Over time, the association with deception faded, and the core sense of "drawing out" became generalized. The modern English term, formed by adding the noun suffix -ation to the adjective licit (which shares the same Latin root), thus carries the abstract meaning of the process of bringing forth something—be it information, a feeling, or a physical substance—that is not immediately obvious or available.
Analysis
Structure: e (out) + licit (lawful/permitted) + ation (noun suffix)
e: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "out of, from".
licit: A morpheme from Latin licitus (lawful, permitted), itself from licēre (to be permitted).
ation: A noun-forming suffix of Latin origin, indicating an action or process.
Examples
The interview technique relies on careful elicitation of the witness's memories.
The teacher's skillful elicitation of ideas led to a vibrant class discussion.
The chemical process involves the elicitation of specific compounds from the plant material.