dim vs explain

dim

verb
  • To render dim, obscure, or dark; to make less bright or distinct 

  • To make something less bright. 

  • To deprive of distinct vision; to hinder from seeing clearly, either by dazzling or clouding the eyes; to darken the senses or understanding of. 

  • To become darker. 

adj
  • Not bright or colorful. 

  • Indistinct, hazy or unclear. 

  • Not smart or intelligent. 

  • Disapproving, unfavorable: rarely used outside the phrase take a dim view of. 

explain

verb
  • To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of. 

  • To give a valid excuse for past behavior. 

  • To make something plain or intelligible. 

How often have the words dim and explain occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )