The term elaborate is something elaborated, whereby the term mainly means a written elaboration, which is also called elaboration. For the most part, the term is used as a derogatory term, meaning an ingenuous, not very carefully prepared, written work. In the high-level language usage, however, a completed written work is also called elaborate. Consequently, attention must be paid to the respective context in order to tap the actual meaning. The term can refer to essays, pamphlets, tracts, monographs, manuscripts and thus all written work.
The term is derived from the Latin verb elaborare, which can be translated with (carefully) elaborate. Thus, the original word-word refers rather to a positive meaning and not to a derogatory use. However, there are more and more examples in the literature that are negatively affected. The following is an example from the drama Ignorabimus (1913) by the poet Arno Holz.
DUFROY still in his length, his hands now behind his back, his head in his nape, his gaze fixed on the air, up and down; through his voice distant tuba horns. I’ve given you your manuscript… You hear that I am very respectful and polite about this elaborate… I have put your “manuscript” into your library.
GEORG about this tone […] but somewhat perplexed; then immediately almost “amiable.” Very nice of you.
The example dialog above illustrates the negative meaning of the word. Dufroy, who has read a written work by Georg, first names it as a manuscript, and states in the same way that this title is of a somewhat ironic nature and that this elaboration should rather be described as elaboration negative connotation.