I. də̇ˈtāl, dēˈ-, ˈdēˌ-, esp before pause or consonant -āəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: French détail, from Old French detail piece cut off, small quantity, from detaillier to cut in pieces, from de- (from Latin dis- apart, to pieces) + taillier to cut — more at dis- , tailor
1.
a. : extended treatment of or attention to particular items
careful attention to detail
give the argument without going into detail
b. archaic : a narrative that relates minute points : a particularized account
2. : a part of a whole: as
a. : a small and subordinate part : particular , item , circumstance
this is only a detail
ask for the details of a scheme
b. : a portion considered independently of the parts considered together
reproduce a detail of a painting
elaborate in detail
c. : a minor part (as the cornice, caps of the buttresses, capitals of the columns of a building)
3. : detail drawing
4.
a. : a written list of military duties for the day either for the entire command or for any portion ; also : the distribution of the daily orders to the officers
b. : selection for a particular task of a person or a body of persons ; also : the person or body selected or the task to be performed
5. : the small elements of a photographic image corresponding to the small elements of the original subject
strong lighting to achieve clarity of detail
Synonyms: see item , part
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French détailler, literally, to cut in pieces, from Old French detaillier
transitive verb
1. : to relate in particulars : report minutely and distinctly
detail a new drug
2. : enumerate , specify
detail all the facts in a case
3. : to assign (a person, a military unit) to a particular task
the first sergeant will detail the platoons for fatigue duty
an infantry officer detailed to an air-force unit during maneuvers
4. : to furnish with detailing
beautifully detailed hats
trimmings that detail slips and petticoats
intransitive verb
: to make detail drawings