Words / C2

look-y-u-BRAYSHUN/ˌluːkjʊˈbreɪʃn/

Lucubration is laborious study, especially at night; also a piece of such writing (formal / often humorous): nocturnal lucubration, the lucubrations of a scholar. To study (already in the dictionary) is everyday learning; night (already in the dictionary) is the dark hours, and research (already in the dictionary) is careful study for new facts — the close twin of serious work. An essay (already in the dictionary) is a short school text. This batch: prolix and sesquipedalian are tediously wordy, and given to long words — of style, not of hours. Library hours do not waive an embargo.

Meaning

Laborious study, especially at night; also a piece of such writing (formal / often humorous).

Examples

• “Lucubration in the library still has to file the embargo from the desk.”
• “To study is to learn a subject (already in A2). Night is the dark hours (already in A1). Research is careful study for new facts (already in B1). An essay is a short school text (already in A2). Prolix is tediously wordy (this batch). Sesquipedalian is given to long words (this batch). Hours on the right object can still be exact. Hours instead of a dated line are theatre. File the embargo; then the lamp.”

Good to know

Laborious night study (formal). Everyday: study / night (already in this dictionary). Close: research (already in B1); essay (already in A2). This batch: prolix / sesquipedalian. Hours ≠ a date.

Near in meaning

study, burning the midnight oil, scholarship, elaboration

New