lucubration

American  

[loo-kyoo-brey-shuhn] / ˌlu kyʊˈbreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. laborious work, study, thought, etc., especially at night.

2. the result of such activity, as a learned speech or dissertation.

3. Often lucubrations. any literary effort, especially of a pretentious or solemn nature.

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lucubration British  

/ ˌluːkjʊˈbreɪʃən /

noun

1. laborious study, esp at night

2. (often plural) a solemn literary work

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Etymology

Origin of lucubration

1585–95; < Latin lūcubrātiōn- (stem of lūcubrātiō ) night-work. See lucubrate, -ion

Example Sentences

Mr. Bambridge made considerable alterations in his cherished lucubration; and when the advertisement appeared in print, it looked mean and filled but a paltry space.

From Children of the Mist by Phillpotts, Eden

Even his outward manner of life, in its flesh-and-blood physiognomy,—we search in vain through tons of dusty lucubration totally without interest, to catch here and there the corner of a feature of it.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 08 by Carlyle, Thomas

Swift chronologically precedes Sterne, for in 1726, shortly after "Robinson Crusoe" and a good fifteen years before "Pamela," he gave the world that unique lucubration, "Gulliver's Travels," allegory, satire and fairy story all in one.

From Masters of the English Novel A Study of Principles and Personalities by Burton, Richard

It was the well-earned harvest of many a learned conference, of many a patient lecture, and many a midnight lucubration.

From History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1 by Milman, Henry Hart

Love, war, a tempest—surely there 's variety; Also a seasoning slight of lucubration; A bird's-eye view, too, of that wild, Society; A slight glance thrown on men of every station.

From Don Juan by Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron