— elaborately , adv. — elaborateness , n. — elaborative , adj. — elaborator , n.
adj. /i lab"euhr it/ ; v. /i lab"euh rayt'/ , adj., v., elaborated, elaborating .
adj.
1. worked out with great care and nicety of detail; executed with great minuteness: elaborate preparations; elaborate care.
2. marked by intricate and often excessive detail; complicated.
v.t.
3. to work out carefully or minutely; develop to perfection.
4. to add details to; expand.
5. to produce or develop by labor.
6. Physiol. to convert (food, plasma, etc.) by means of chemical processes into a substance more suitable for use within the body.
v.i.
7. to add details in writing, speaking, etc.; give additional or fuller treatment (usually fol. by on or upon ): to elaborate upon a theme or an idea.
[ 1575-85; elaboratus (ptp. of elaborare ) worked out, equiv. to e- E- + labor- work + -atus -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 1. perfected, painstaking. 2. ornate. ELABORATE, LABORED, STUDIED apply to that which is worked out in great detail. That which is ELABORATE is characterized by great, sometimes even excessive, minuteness of detail: elaborate preparations for a banquet. That which is LABORED is marked by excessive, often forced or uninspired, effort: a labored style of writing. That which is STUDIED is accomplished with care and deliberation, and is done purposely, sometimes even having been rehearsed: a studied pose. 3, 7 . refine, improve.
Ant. 1. simple.