>>11588000Definition was from google, but okay.
How would description and explanation be synonymous? There is always a long-term representation and a short-term representation of information.
If I describe something I am providing as much generalized and verbatim information as available to me.
If I explain something I accept the limitation of myself, my audience, any past failure cases that I want to avoid, etc.
Describe:
late Middle English: from Latin describere, from de- ‘down’ + scribere ‘write’.
Explain:
early 15c., from Latin explanare "to explain, make clear, make plain," literally "make level, flatten," from ex "out" (see ex-) + planus "flat" (from PIE root *pele- (2) "flat; to spread").
Originally explane, the spelling was altered by influence of plain. Also see plane (v.2). In 17c., occasionally used more literally, of the unfolding of material things: Evelyn has buds that "explain into leaves" ["Sylva, or, A discourse of forest-trees, and the propagation of timber in His Majesties dominions," 1664]. Related: Explained; explaining; explains. To explain (something) away is from 1709.
