expound Hear it!

expound Definition

ex·pound (ek spo̵und′, ik-)

transitive verb

  1. to set forth point by point; state in detail
  2. to explain or interpret; clarify

Etymology: ME expounden < OFr expondre < L exponere, to put forth, expound < ex-, out + ponere, to put: see position

intransitive verb

to comment (on); make a statement

expound Related Forms

ex·pound′er noun

expound Synonyms

expound

v.

  1. To interpret

    explicate, clarify, elucidate; see explain.

  2. To set forth in detail

    delineate, present, express; see describe. See syn. study at explain.

expound Usage Examples

Object

  • scripture: He believed that expounding the scriptures was the only thing God wanted done.
  • doctrine: This work is an extensive series of lectures given to new believers expounding the principle doctrines of the faith.
  • virtue: A Degree of Imagination John Robert Brown expounds the virtues of a BA in busking.
  • thesis: But she did little to expound a contrary thesis for my understanding.
  • theory: When I first expounded this theory at a workshop in Switzerland, I was forty years old.
  • principle: These are disconcerting discoveries " given the principles expounded in the reform " .

Preposition: on

  • theme: Here he expounded on mystical themes and attracted many people to himself.
  • subject: Julie picked me up at about nine fifteen to drive me home, and got to listen to me drunkenly expounding on various subjects.
  • importance: He expounds on the importance of non-violence as a path toward world harmony, and how developing altruism in oneself makes us happier.

Preposition: at

length: These views he expounded at enormous length in the British Statesman, of which he was editor from June to December 1842.

Adjective complement

blind: In the evening I expounded blind Bartimeus, to as genteel an audience as I have ever seen.

Modifying Another Word

  • clearly: This seed is a Person whose being is clearly expounded in this passage.
  • fully: Professor Chomsky's views will be expounded more fully in an exclusive interview to be published in a forthcoming issue of The X Factor.
  • here: I shall nevertheless have to proceed to the area of theory in order to deal with the theories expounded here.
  • so: Article XX says you must not, " so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another.
  • first: An idea first expounded by Darwin in On The Origin of Species.
  • then: The Bible tells us about His life, mentioning what He said and did, and then expounds these teachings for the world today.

Followed by an intransitive particle

upon: Exterior as well as interior worship are expounded upon by his Holiness.

Used with why or when

what: Now I am not going to even attempt to expound what it means for God to be light.

Preposition: in

book: He is the risen Lord expounded in these books and in finding him our hearts should be refreshed and refined.