n.
Pronunciation: ' ī -t ə m
Function: noun
Date: 1561
1 obsolete : WARNING , HINT
2 : a distinct part in an enumeration, account, or series : ARTICLE
3 : an object of attention, concern, or interest
4 : a separate piece of news or information
5 : a couple in a romantic or sexual relationship
synonyms ITEM , DETAIL , PARTICULAR mean one of the distinct parts of a whole. ITEM applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated <every item on the list>. DETAIL applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process <leave the details to others>. PARTICULAR stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item <a description that included few particulars >.