implicitly
UK[ɪmˈplɪsɪtli]US[ɪmˈplɪsɪtli]
adv
in a way that is suggested or understood without being stated directly
adv
in a way that is contained in something though not directly expressed
Morpheme Breakdown
im
plicit
ly
im
in
plicit
folded
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the word 'implicitly' is built upon the adjective 'implicit', which entered english in the late 16th century from latin 'implicitus', the past participle of 'implicare' meaning 'to entangle, involve'. the core latin verb 'plicare' (to fold) is derived from the proto-indo-european root plek-, meaning 'to plait'. the literal sense of being 'folded in' or 'entwined within' something evolved metaphorically to describe a meaning that is folded into a statement, not openly displayed but contained within it. the adverbial suffix '-ly' was then added in english to form the word describing the manner in which something is understood or expressed in this indirect, inherent way.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + plicit (folded) + ly (adverb suffix)
- im: latin origin, a variant of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'in, into, on'.
- plicit: from latin 'plicitus', the past participle stem of 'plicare', meaning 'to fold'.
- ly: from old english '-līc', a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives, meaning 'in a specified manner'.
Examples
she implicitly trusted his judgment.
the agreement implicitly forbids the resale of the goods.
his silence was taken as implicitly agreeing to the plan.