1. (

• explicate ,
• formulate ,
• develop

) elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses; "Could you develop the ideas in your thesis" ;

2. (

• invent ,
• contrive ,
• devise ,
• excogitate ,
• formulate ,
• forge ,

) come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort; "excogitate a way to measure the speed of light" ;

3. (

• give_voice ,
• formulate ,
• word ,
• phrase ,
• articulate ,

) put into words or an expression; "He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees" ;

4. (

• formulate ,

) prepare according to a formula ;