1. laborious study or work, especially done late at night
Usage: formal; often literary
2. learned or pedantic writings produced by such study
Usage: formal; sometimes mildly derogatory

Examples

• The professor’s midnight lucubrations resulted in a groundbreaking theory.
• His lucubrations on ancient philosophy filled several volumes.
• She was known for her scholarly lucubrations on medieval literature.
• The library was filled with the lucubrations of generations of academics.
• After years of lucubrations, he finally completed his masterwork.
• Critics dismissed his latest book as mere lucubrations with little practical value.