elaborate (adj.)

  1. marked by complexity and richness of detail; an elaborate lace pattern

    [ Syn: 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

    [ Syn: detailed , elaborated ]

    elaborate (v.)

  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

    [ Syn: lucubrate , expatiate , exposit , enlarge , flesh out , expand , expound , dilate ]

  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

    [ Syn: complicate , refine , rarify ]

  4. work out in detail; elaborate a plan

    [ Syn: work out ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.