lucubration

[loo-kyoo-brey-shuh n]

See more synonyms for lucubration on Thesaurus.com

noun

laborious work, study, thought, etc., especially at night.
the result of such activity, as a learned speech or dissertation.
Often lucubrations. any literary effort, especially of a pretentious or solemn nature.

Origin of lucubration

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for lucubration

attention, contemplation, reflection, deliberation, application, thinking, study, regard, forethought, debate, thought, calculation, scrutiny, examination, heed, consideration, concentration, cogitation, review, discussion

Examples from the Web for lucubration

Historical Examples of lucubration

How was it that the capitalist had put his signature to such a lucubration?
Sentimental Education, Volume II
Gustave Flaubert
I am only glad to see that Henry is himself ashamed of his lucubration.
Young Blood
E. W. Hornung
I put an end to this my lucubration after having very humbly craved your good will and affection.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume V
J. H. Merle d'Aubigné
Father Bougeant calls his lucubration a new system of philosophy; but this is not strictly true.
The Criminal Prosecution and Capital Punishment of Animals
Edmund P. Evans
It was the well-earned harvest of many a learned conference, of many a patient lecture, and many a midnight lucubration.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Edward Gibbon

British Dictionary definitions for lucubration

lucubration

noun

laborious study, esp at night
(often plural) a solemn literary work

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lucubration

1590s, "literary work showing signs of too-careful elaboration," from Latin lucubrationem (nominative lucubratio) "nocturnal study, night work," noun of action from past participle stem of lucubrare, literally "to work by artificial light," from stem of lucere "to shine" (see light (n.)).