What is the meaning of elicit?

"Elicit" means to draw out or bring forth (a response, information, or feeling) from someone. It implies that you are not simply asking a question, but actively trying to get a specific reaction or piece of information.

Here are some examples:

* The interviewer's questions elicited a confession from the suspect. (The questions caused the suspect to reveal information they were hiding.)

* The teacher's kind words elicited smiles from the students. (The teacher's words caused the students to feel happy.)

* The doctor's gentle touch elicited a sigh of relief from the patient. (The doctor's touch caused the patient to feel calm and relaxed.)

Think of "elicit" as a way to describe drawing something out of someone, like you might pull a thread from a piece of cloth.