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Elaborate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means detailed and complicated

Where does the word "elaborate" come from? It comes from Latin elaboratus, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
elaboratus
Latin · ancient
"worked out"
past participle of 'elaborare', to work out: 'e-' plus 'labor', work
2
Stage 2 of 2
elaborate
English · 1580s
"worked out"
'elaborate on' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Elaborate’s story begins in Latin: elaboratus meant “worked out.” Past participle of 'elaborare', to work out: 'e-' plus 'labor', work. It reached English by 1580s as elaborate. 'elaborate on' dates from the 1800s. Today, elaborate means detailed and complicated.