verbs - Word to describe "when someone describes something in too much detail"


There's a word I thought I knew at some point, but can no longer remember what it was.


I tried looking up various thesaurus websites to no avail.


Similar words to what I'm looking for, but not quite:



  • Elaborate: too neutral -- I'm looking for a more negative connotation.

  • Elucidate: too positive a connotation.

  • Ruminate: The direction is correct, but it is about "thinking about something in too much detail" vs actually describing it so.

  • Describe ad nauseum: 3 words, and awkward sounding.


Example sentence: "He began to __ the topic"


To clarify, I'm looking for a verb.



Answer



It could be expatiate:


from the OED:



To speak or write at some length; to enlarge; to be copious in description or discussion.



from Merriam-Webster:



to speak or write at length or in detail



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