1.elaborate的基本意思是“注重细节”; 对于尚未实现的事物,译为“详细制定,精心制作”; 对于已存在的事物,则意在完全显现其细节,即“详尽说明,详细阐述”。
2.elaborate用作及物动词时,可接名词或代词作宾语,可用于被动结构。
3.elaborate作不及物动词时,后接on或upon,表示“详细阐述”。

elaborate on〔upon〕(v.+prep.)
详细说明 add more details to (sth)
▲elaborate on〔upon〕 sth
She elaborated on the next day's menu.她精心设计了明天的菜单。
Please elaborate on your proposals a little.请稍微详细说明你的建议。
The witness was asked to elaborate upon one of his statements.证人被要求对其陈述的某一点作详细的说明。
The chairman just wanted the facts. You don't need to elaborate on them.主席只想了解事实,你不必详细说明。

用作不及物动词
▲S+～(+A)
You understand the situation; I needn't elaborate any further.你对情况是了解的,我不必再进一步详谈了。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
The inventor spent months in elaborating his plans for a new engine.这位发明家花费了几个月的时间精心绘制了一种新发动机的平面图。
Please elaborate your points.请就你的观点详加说明。
The bees elaborate honey.蜜蜂辛勤酿蜜。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
Some of these points will have to be further elaborated as we go along.这些要点中,有些我们在往下讨论时还得作进一步的详细阐述。

用作定语
▲～+n.
 It's an elaborate design.这是一种精心的设计。
The elaborate lighting system took months to install.安装这套精美的照明系统花了好几个月的时间。
He made an elaborate hairstyle.他做了一个复杂的发型。
用作表语
▲S+be+～
 The problem is too elaborate.问题太复杂。
▲S+be+～+that-clause
The matter is so elaborate that we can't solve it.这事情太复杂,我们解决不了。

［同义词］ v. clarify, detail, specify adj. complex, complicated
［反义词］ v. digest adj. plain, simple
［词源］＜拉丁语elaborare(尽力,费力气)