elaboration

[ ih-lab-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of elaborating.
2. the state of being elaborated; elaborateness.
3. something that is elaborated.
4. Psychiatry. an unconscious process of expanding and embellishing a detail, especially while recalling and describing a representation in a dream so that latent content of the dream is brought into a logical and comprehensible order.

Other Words From

• self-e·labo·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elaboration¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin ēlabōrātiōn-, stem of ēlabōrātiō, from ēlabōrāt(us) “worked out” (past participle of ēlabōrāre “to work out, produce through labor”; elaborate ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

My response to “how’s work” has often dwindled to a simple “fine,” without much elaboration.

From Slate

James’ lawyer has written to the Gagosian, the gallery has confirmed, asking for elaboration on how Cattelan got the idea.

From Seattle Times

The fourth church, New Hope Baptist of Gastonia, N.C., had failed to participate financially in the convention and showed no intent “to resolve a question of faith and practice,” the committee said without elaboration.

From Seattle Times

The spokesperson did not respond to questions seeking elaboration of that charge, such as whether stalkers have been seen waiting for Swift at the airport when her plane arrived or, alternatively, if there is evidence that stalkers have somehow inferred Swift’s subsequent location from the arrival time of her flight.

From Seattle Times

Neither office responded to a Times request for elaboration on what was found and where.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amplification