Definition of: implicit

(im·plis′it) adjective
1. Fairly to be understood, but not specifically stated; implied.
2. Arising from thorough confidence in another; unquestioning: implicit trust.
3. Virtually contained in; essential, though not apparent; potential: The man is implicit in the child.
4. Obs. Infolded; entangled. [<F implicite <L implicitus, later form of implicatus, pp. of implicare involve. See IMPLICATE.]
—im·plic′it·ly adverb
—im·plic′it·ness noun Synonyms: absolute, blind, complete, firm, full, perfect, steadfast, submissive, undoubting, unhesitating, unquestioning, unreserved, unshaken. Implicit primarily signifies “implied.” Implicit faith assumes all reasons for belief or action to be “implied” in the fact that a statement, for instance, comes from some trusted source, as the Scriptures or the church; implicit obedience assumes that all reasons for action are “implied” in the mere command given by adequate authority. As contrasted with explicit, implicit belief is given to an explicit statement, implicit obedience rendered to an explicit command. Compare EXPLICIT; see, also, TACIT.