elaborate

Verb · Adjective
Synonyms: lucubrateexpatiateexpositenlargeflesh outexpandexpounddilatecomplicaterefinerarifywork out

WordNet 3.0

Verb (4)

  1. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing“She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation”Synonyms: lucubrateexpatiateexpositenlargeflesh outexpandexpounddilate
  2. produce from basic elements or sources; change into a more developed product“The bee elaborates honey”
  3. make more complex, intricate, or richer“refine a design or pattern”Synonyms: complicaterefinerarify
  4. work out in detail“elaborate a plan”Synonyms: work out

Adjective (2)

  1. marked by complexity and richness of detail“an elaborate lace pattern”Synonyms: luxuriant
  2. developed or executed with care and in minute detail“a detailed plan”“the elaborate register of the inhabitants prevented tax evasion — John Buchan”“the carefully elaborated theme”Synonyms: detailedelaborated
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Elaborate \E*lab"o*rate\, a. [L. elaboratus, p. p. of elaborare to work out; e out + laborare to labor, labor labor. See Labor.] Wrought with labor; finished with great care; studied; executed with exactness or painstaking; as, an elaborate discourse; an elaborate performance; elaborate research. [1913 Webster]

Drawn to the life in each elaborate page. --Waller.

Syn: Labored; complicated; studied; perfected; high-wrought. -- E*lab"o*rate*ly, adv. -- E*lab"o*rate*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

Elaborate \E*lab"o*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Elaborated; p. pr. & vb. n. Elaborating.]

1.To produce with labor [1913 Webster]

They in full joy elaborate a sigh,— Young.[1913 Webster]

2.To perfect with painstaking; to improve or refine with labor and study, or by successive operations; as, to elaborate a painting or a literary work. [1913 Webster]

The sap is . . . still more elaborated and exalted as it circulates through the vessels of the plant.— Arbuthnot.[1913 Webster]
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