Real Dictionary

elaborate
Elaborate plans, systems, and procedures are complicated because they have been planned in very great detail, sometimes too much detail.
You use elaborate to describe something that is very complex because it has a lot of different parts.

elaborate in American English
to produce by effort
to state something in detail or add more details
worked out carefully; developed in great detail
adjective: worked out with great care and nicety of detail; executed with great minuteness
intransitive verb: to add details in writing, speaking, etc.; give additional or fuller treatment
transitive verb: to work out carefully or minutely; develop to perfection

elaborate in British English
adjective: planned or executed with care and exactness; detailed
verb: to add information or detail (to an account); expand (upon)