[as if ad. L. *ēlabōrātōrium, f. ēlabōrāre to ELABORATE.]
1. A place where chemical operations are performed, or where medicines are compounded; = LABORATORY. Obs. exc. Hist.
1652. Evelyn, State of France, 78–9. Every great Person … however qualified with intellectuals, pretends to his Elaboratory and Library.
1676. Coles, Elaboratory … a [chymists] work-house or shop.
1759. B. Martin, Nat. Hist. Eng., I. 258. Two Elaboratories; one for Chymical, and the other for Galenical Preparations.
1801. Med. Jrnl., V. 200. Dr. Pearson’s Lectures … will re-commence in the Elaboratory.
1873. M. Collins, Squire Silchester, I. v. 71. Parlour, bedroom, elaboratory, kitchen.
2. A natural apparatus for elaborating any product of vital action. (Formerly transf. from 1.)
1667. Phil. Trans., II. 578. The Sanguification is performed in any one part of the Animal, as the peculiar Shop or Elaboratory of it.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., IX. 325/1. Obstruction of the passages, by which the Aliment passes to its elaboratories.
1708. Brit. Apollo, No. 86. 2/1. The Elaboratory of the Nervous Juice.
1845. Florist’s Jrnl., 11. The functions of leaves are to … act as elaboratories.
