Again, very similar sounding words with completely different meanings.
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"I don't give a damn for a man
that can only spell a word one way."
-- Mark Twain
elicit
verb ( -ited , -iting ) [trans.]
• evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone
in reaction to one's own actions or questions:
they invariably elicit exclamations of approval from guests.
• archaic draw forth (something that is latent or potential) into existence:
a corrupt heart elicits in an hour all that is bad in us.
illicit
adjective
• forbidden by law, rules, or custom:
illicit drugs | illicit sex.
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Elicit
In very general terms, the verb elicit means 'to obtain'. However, it has the connotation of actively obtaining something (usually information). It can often be translated as 'to draw out', 'to extract', 'to obtain information', 'to deduce' or 'to construe'.
Examples:
• Fog always seems to elicit strong feelings of melancholy.
• His questioning sought to elicit the conclusion he had reached even before the hearing began.
Examples:
• Fog always seems to elicit strong feelings of melancholy.
• His questioning sought to elicit the conclusion he had reached even before the hearing began.
Illicit
The adjective illicit means 'illegal' or 'contrary to accepted morality (i.e., naughty)'.
Examples:
• The act seeks to prevent the illicit trafficking of narcotics.
• We have been told to expect a purge on illicit file-sharing web sites.
Examples:
• The act seeks to prevent the illicit trafficking of narcotics.
• We have been told to expect a purge on illicit file-sharing web sites.
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ELICIT = EXTRACT
The first letter of elicit can serve to remind you that it means extract.
ILLICIT = ILLEGAL
The first three letters of illicit can serve to remind you that it means illegal.
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QUIZ
Test your skills with this quiz. Fill in either elicit or illicit in the blanks. The answers are at the bottom.
1. The child hid an ________ piece of candy in his pocket.
2. Randy was in tears because he did not _______ approval from the nominating committee.
3. Hank was being charged for having _______ material on his computer’s hard drive.
4. The mouse managed to _______ a howl from the cat when he startled it.
1. illicit 2. elicit 3. illicit 4. elicit
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