detail

[ noun dih-teyl, dee-teyl; verb dih-teyl dee-teyl ]

noun

1. an individual or minute part; an item or particular.
2. particulars collectively; minutiae.
3. attention to or treatment of a subject in individual or minute parts:

   to postpone detail and concentrate on a subject as a whole.

4. intricate, finely wrought decoration.
5. Engineering. detail drawing.
6. any small section of a larger structure or whole, considered as a unit.
7. Military.
   1. an appointment or assignment, as of a small group or an officer, for a special task.
   2. the party or person so selected:

      the kitchen detail.

   3. a particular assignment of duty.
8. the property of an image or of a method of image production to make small, closely spaced image elements individually distinguishable.

verb (used with object)

1. to relate or report with complete particulars; tell fully and distinctly.
2. to mention one by one; specify; list:

   He detailed the events leading up to the robbery.

   Synonyms: catalog, enumerate, itemize

3. Military. to appoint or assign for some particular duty:

   We were detailed to patrol the border.

4. to provide with intricate, finely wrought decoration:

   lingerie detailed with lace and embroidery.

5. to thoroughly clean (a vehicle or part of a vehicle) and do minor repairs to improve its appearance:

   We detail the wheels and chrome to remove the rust.

detail

/ ˈdiːteɪl /

noun

1. an item or smaller part that is considered separately; particular
2. an item or circumstance that is insignificant or unimportant

   passengers' comfort was regarded as a detail

3. treatment of or attention to items or particulars

   this essay includes too much detail

4. items collectively; particulars
5. a small or accessory section or element in a painting, building, statue, etc, esp when considered in isolation
6. military
   1. the act of assigning personnel for a specific duty, esp a fatigue
   2. the personnel selected
   3. the duty or assignment
7. go into detail
   to include all or most particulars
8. in detail
   including all or most particulars or items thoroughly

verb

1. to list or relate fully
2. military to select (personnel) for a specific duty
3. to decorate or elaborate (carving, etc) with fine delicate drawing or designs

Other Words From

• pre·de·tail verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of detail¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from French détail, Old French, noun derivative of detailler “to cut in pieces,” equivalent to de- “away, apart , etc.” ( dis- ¹ ) + tailler “to cut,” from unattested Vulgar Latin taliāre; tailor ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of detail¹

C17: from French détail, from Old French detailler to cut in pieces, from de- dis- ¹+ tailler to cut; see tailor

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in detail, item by item; with particulars:

   The résumé stated his qualifications in detail.

More idioms and phrases containing detail

see in detail .

Example Sentences

It is the steady accretion of detail that may yet be the most damaging factor in the battle for British hearts and minds.

From The Daily Beast

He goes into some detail into what it took to persuade voters to pass marriage equality at the ballot box in four states in 2012.

From The Daily Beast

Former Texas governor Ann Richards was a big fan of the Texas Rangers, a contingent of which was her protective detail.

From The Daily Beast

Every detail was not only perfect but itself a piece of art.

From The Daily Beast

His detail seeking in our meetings is compulsive and a little nuts.

From The Daily Beast

For every detail is so marvellously symmetrical that no one is dwarfed, no one challenges special attention.

From Project Gutenberg

In dramatic interpretation the voice is a much more significant feature relatively than is the detail of gesture in pantomime.

From Project Gutenberg

Impersonation absolutely requires the finest detail of mannerism to be represented in the action.

From Project Gutenberg

And I have given this tedious detail to urge and embolden others to remonstrate against it.

From Project Gutenberg

He simply devoured books, studying every detail of construction, and learning a great deal as to style and effect.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analyze
• delineate
• depict
• describe
• enumerate
• lay out
• portray
• recount
• relate
• reveal
• set forth
• spell out
• stipulate
• summarize
• tell
• uncover