5:2 ELICIT

When and Where Found: I found this word while I was reading Relaxation Response by a Harvard doctor.  The book is teaches people about a relaxation technique used to combat anxiety.

What it means: ELICIT is a noun that means to draw forth or bring out or to call forth, according to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary.  The sentence I found it in was: "We started teaching patients to ELICIT the Relaxation Response in ways that were meaningful to them" (Benson, 1974, p. xix). In this sense, ELICIT has a similar meaning to "use."

Level of Familiarity: I am relatively familiar with this word.  I have a general understanding of the word when I use context clues to remind myself what it means.  To actually be able to recite the definition on call is more difficult for me.

To know well...or not? Yes, this word should be known well.  It functions as a specific meaning.  Instead of simply stating to use something, ELICIT adds more shades of meaning.  In particular, to elicit adds that there was added care when choosing to use something.