lucubrate

American  

[loo-kyoo-breyt] / ˈlu kyʊˌbreɪt /

verb (used without object)

lucubrated, lucubrating

1. to work, write, or study laboriously, especially at night.

2. to write learnedly.

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lucubrate British  

/ ˈluːkjʊˌbreɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to write or study, esp at night

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Other Word Forms

• lucubrator noun
• lucubratory adjective

Etymology

Origin of lucubrate

1615–25; < Latin lūcubrātus, past participle of lūcubrāre to work by artificial light, equivalent to lūcu-, variant (before labials) of lūci-, combining form of lūcēre to shine + -br ( um ) instrumental suffix + -ā- theme vowel + -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

To lucubrate is to flesh out and add details to something, usually in writing. Originally, to lucubrate was to work by artificial light, and that meaning should still be helpful in learning this word: when lucubrating, you're shedding new light on a subject by elaborating, expanding, and adding more details. Lucubrating adds clarity and makes a subject easier to understand: it's often associated with scholars.

Example Sentences

I lucubrate, when I consider, &c. &c., whereas, &c. &c., and even then, &c. &c.,

From The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic Leighton Volume I by Barrington, Mrs. Russell