Expound vs. Elaborate

Expoundverb

(transitive) To set out the meaning of; to explain or discuss at length

Elaborateadjective

Complex, detailed, or sophisticated.

‘After reading a long, elaborate description, I was impressed but no wiser.’;

Expoundverb

(intransitive) To make a statement, especially at length.

‘He expounded often on the dangers of the imperial presidency.’;

Elaborateadjective

Intricate, fancy, flashy, or showy.

‘I stared for hours at the elaborate pattern in the rug.’;

Expoundverb

To lay open; to expose to view; to examine.

‘He expounded both his pockets.’;

Elaborateverb

(transitive) to develop in detail or complexity

Expoundverb

To lay open the meaning of; to explain; to clear of obscurity; to interpret; as, to expound a text of Scripture, a law, a word, a meaning, or a riddle.

‘Expound this matter more fully to me.’;

Elaborateverb

(intransitive) (sometimes followed by on or upon, and then the object of the preposition) to expand in detail

‘What do you mean you didn't come home last night? Would you care to elaborate?’; ‘Could you elaborate on the plot for your novel for me?’;

Expoundverb

add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing;

‘She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation’;

Elaborateadjective

Wrought with labor; finished with great care; studied; executed with exactness or painstaking; as, an elaborate discourse; an elaborate performance; elaborate research.

‘Drawn to the life in each elaborate page.’;

Expoundverb

state;

‘set forth one's reasons’;

Elaborateverb

To produce with labor

‘They in full joy elaborate a sigh,’;

Expoundverb

present and explain (a theory or idea) in detail

‘he was expounding a powerful argument’; ‘he declined to expound on his decision’;

Elaborateverb

To perfect with painstaking; to improve or refine with labor and study, or by successive operations; as, to elaborate a painting or a literary work.

‘The sap is . . . still more elaborated and exalted as it circulates through the vessels of the plant.’;

Expoundverb

explain the meaning of (a literary or doctrinal work)

‘the abbess expounded the scriptures to her nuns’;

Elaborateverb

add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing;

‘She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation’;

Elaborateverb

produce from basic elements or sources; change into a more developed product;

‘The bee elaborates honey’;

Elaborateverb

make more complex, intricate, or richer;

‘refine a design or pattern’;

Elaborateverb

work out in detail;

‘elaborate a plan’;

Elaborateadjective

marked by complexity and richness of detail;

‘an elaborate lace pattern’;

Elaborateadjective

developed or executed with care and in minute detail;

‘a detailed plan’; ‘the elaborate register of the inhabitants prevented tax evasion’; ‘the carefully elaborated theme’;