expound
UK[ɪkˈspaʊnd]US[ɪkˈspaʊnd]
v
to explain something by talking about it in detail
v
to set forth or state in detail (a theory, idea, etc.)
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
pound
ex
out
pound
to put, place
Etymology
The word 'expound' entered English in the late Middle English period from the Anglo-Norman French 'espondre', which itself was based on the Latin verb 'exponere'. This Latin source is a compound of the prefix 'ex-' meaning 'out' and 'ponere' meaning 'to put or place'. The literal sense of 'putting out' or 'setting forth' an idea evolved into the modern abstract meaning of explaining or interpreting a subject in detail. The spelling was later influenced by the unrelated English word 'pound', but the core semantic logic remains clear: to expound is to lay out one's thoughts for others to understand.
Analysis
Structure: ex + pound
ex- (latin, prefix meaning 'out'); pound (from latin 'ponere', meaning 'to put, place')
Examples
The professor began to expound his theory of quantum mechanics.
The judge asked the lawyer to expound upon the legal precedent cited.
She used the meeting to expound on the benefits of the new policy.