AdjectiveJumping spiders, the largest family of spiders, have excellent eyesight and perform elaborate courtship and threat displays, often characterized by ritualized body postures and leg waving. Simon Pollard, Natural History, March 1995Mostly, I think, because it's wicked hot today, I've been having elaborate fantasies about the perfect hot-weather lunch: two dozen freshly opened Little Necks and a couple bottles of ice-cold lager. None of that red "cocktail" sauce on 'em either, just lemon and coarse black pepper. Vladimir Estragon, Waiting for Dessert, 1982On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850 They made elaborate preparations for his visit. I see now that her behavior was all part of an elaborate plan. The dancers were wearing elaborate costumes. He told the story in elaborate detail. Verb… the National Weather Service … advised all citizens in New Orleans's water-filled neighborhoods "to take the necessary tools for survival." The Weather Service elaborated: "Those going into attics should try to take an axe or hatchet with them so they can cut their way onto the roof to avoid drowning should rising flood waters continue to rise into the attic." Christopher Cooper & Robert Block, Diaster, 2006In each evening's sleep sustained dream scenarios, elaborated over periods lasting up to an hour, alternate with thought-like mentation in 90-minute-cycles. Jeffrey Saver, London Review of Books, 4 Aug. 1988 I'll be glad to elaborate if you want to hear more. She was asked to say more about her earlier statements, but she declined to elaborate. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
State funerals around the world are elaborate public ceremonies to mark the passing of a figure of national significance. David Luhnow, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2022 Omar had put the portrait in an elaborate gilt frame, which was distracting. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2022 But the president's public appearances in London have been limited and controlled, part of the choreography around the elaborate farewell to the only monarch most Brits have ever known. Darlene Superville, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2022 Sherri Papini, 40, pleaded guilty in April to two counts of mail fraud and making false statements for carrying out the elaborate fake kidnapping and receiving more than $30,000 in victim compensation. Eric Levenson And Stella Chan, CNN, 19 Sep. 2022 The elaborate occasion was witnessed by millions of her subjects and by billions more people watching broadcasts around the world. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2022 Some workers have even concocted elaborate lies to cover their tracks. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2022 The layering piece dates back to the 17th century and was often worn by noblemen with elaborate embroidery. Alexis Bennett, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2022 The day before, during OpTic’s lower final matchup against DRX, one Turkish fan, Ulas Yilmaz, fashioned an elaborate billboard out of multiple signs given out to fans, taping the letters O-P-T-I-C across his arms and chest. Mikhail Klimentov, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2022
Verb
Johnson said Ragnow was in attendance at the Lions' morning walk-through Thursday, but declined to elaborate on his health. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2022 In response to questions from the Tampa Bay Times, David Ruderman, public affairs specialist for the Corps’ Jacksonville district, declined to elaborate on the easement requirements. Chris Kuo And Lauren Peace, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 Police said an investigation is ongoing and additional, unknown suspects are sought, but did not elaborate further. Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2022 There were women and children among the migrants, but the agency did not elaborate on how many. Samy Magdy, ajc, 13 Aug. 2022 The statement didn’t specifically mention Bynum — who was a county police employee at the time of her death — or elaborate on the decision to include her among those recognized. Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2022 Records say the victim was incapable of providing consent but did not elaborate. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 26 Apr. 2022 Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview on Thursday that Saudi authorities were more cooperative on judicial issues with Turkey, but did not elaborate. Suzan Fraser, chicagotribune.com, 31 Mar. 2022 Crawford’s attorney, Vik Monder, who also appeared in court remotely, suggested the case was one of self-defense but did not elaborate. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Verb
Latin elaboratus, from past participle of elaborare to work out, acquire by labor, from e- + laborare to work — more at laboratory