Crossword Genius

Christian perhaps rising to speak in a flowery manner (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elaborate

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'in a flowery manner' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'christian perhaps rising to speak' is the wordplay.
'christian perhaps' becomes 'bale' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'rising' says the letters should be written backwards (in a down clue, letters go up).
'to speak' becomes 'orate' (orating is a kind of speaking).
'bale' written backwards gives 'elab'.
'elab'+'orate'='ELABORATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elaborate that I've seen before include "Present in further detail" , "With many parts or details, maybe a pattern" , "Very ornate or complex" , "Extravagant" , "Complicated or fancy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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