explanation Copy link Outline 1. explānātio, Cic.2. explĭcātio, Cic.3. sătisfactio (a formal e. of one's conduct)4. rătio (the true rationale or principle of any thing)5. ēnōdātio • explanation: 1. explānātio, Cic.: Plin. 2. explĭcātio, Cic.: Quint. (For syn. see verb.) 3. sătisfactio (a formal e. of one's conduct): Sall. Cat. 35. 4. rătio (the true rationale or principle of any thing): to give an e. (of natural phenomena), r. reddere, Sen. N. Q. 1, 1, 6: cf. Lucr. 1, 60. 5. ēnōdātio: Cic. (Or expr. by verb: in the e. of names, in enodandis nominibus, Cic.: v. to explain.) See also interpretation.