detail

[dih-teyl, dee-teyl, 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. to include all or most particulars

8. 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 Word Forms

• predetail 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.

see in detail.

Example Sentences

He acknowledges that the Australian bank’s management provided only limited additional detail on a call with analysts, but runs through his calculations in a note to clients.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

All of Althouse’s tattoos are done in the detailed, lifelike “micro-realism” style, and the Hopper image is eerily similar to the original work of art.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her engaging voice is populated by a large cast of beguiling characters, settings are enriched with vivid details, all of it grounded by a compelling story line.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While he abhors actors who think “mumbling is interesting,” he doesn’t overwhelm younger actors who ask for advice with too much detail.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But as the parties got stuck on the final details, the deadline came and went.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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