elaborate
UK[ɪˈlæb.ər.ət]US[ɪˈlæb.ər.ət]
adj
containing a lot of careful detail or many detailed parts
v
to add more information to or explain something that you have said
v
to develop a plan, idea, or theory in more detail
Morpheme Breakdown
e
labor
ate
e
out
labor
work
ate
verb/adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'elaborate' originates from the latin verb 'elaborare', which is a compound of the prefix 'e-' (a variant of 'ex-', meaning 'out') and the root 'laborare' (meaning 'to work'). the literal sense was 'to work out' or 'to produce by labor'. this meaning evolved through late latin and middle english, shifting from the physical act of working something out to the more abstract intellectual process of developing an idea or adding intricate detail through mental effort. the modern senses, both as an adjective describing complexity and a verb describing the process of detailed development, retain this core logic of something produced or worked out with great care.
Analysis
Structure: e (out) + labor (work) + ate (verb/adjective suffix)
e- (prefix, latin origin, meaning 'out'); labor (root, latin origin, meaning 'work'); -ate (suffix, latin origin, used to form verbs and adjectives)
Examples
she had prepared a very elaborate meal for the guests.
could you elaborate on your proposal for the new project?
the elaborate design on the cathedral ceiling took years to complete.