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

This was the diagnosis she made of her discontent after an hour's melancholy lucubration over the restless tongues of flame, and their scarlet substratum.

From Jessamine A Novel by Harland, Marion

He spoke some French, perhaps also Italian; and if he had been at a University, which did not frequently happen, he might be able to recite a Latin lucubration.

From Pictures of German Life in the XVIIIth and XIXth Centuries, Vol. I. by Freytag, Gustav

Mr Hobhouse, in his Illustrations of Childe Harold626, says, that the whole lucubration, extending to nearly 300 pages of large octavo, is a grave and continued irony on the verbal criticisms of commentators.

From History of Roman Literature from its Earliest Period to the Augustan Age. Volume II by Dunlop, John

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

How was it that the capitalist had put his signature to such a lucubration?

From Sentimental Education, Volume II The History of a Young Man by Flaubert, Gustave