detail

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdiːteɪl/

noun

  • 1an individual fact or item: we shall consider every detail of the Bill [mass noun]: her meticulous attention to detail
  • a less significant item or fact: he didn’t want them to get sidetracked on a detail of policy
  • a minor decorative feature of a building or work of art: a detail on Charlemagne’s tomb
  • [mass noun] the style or treatment of minor decorative features: the classical French detail of the building’s facade
  • a small part of a picture that is reproduced separately for close study: detail of right eye showing marks on the lids
  • (details) itemized information about someone: the official asked for my father’s details
  • 2a small detachment of troops or police officers given a special duty: the governor’s security detail
  • [often with modifier] a special duty assigned to a detachment of troops or police officers: I didn’t often get the toilet detail

verb

[with object]
  • 1give full information about: the report details proposals to improve public transport
  • 2 [with object and infinitive] assign (someone) to undertake a particular task: the ships were detailed to keep watch
  • 3US clean (a motor vehicle) thoroughly.

Phrases

go into detail

give a full account of something: I don’t want to go into detail about how I get on with her

in detail

as regards every feature or aspect; fully: we will have to examine the proposals in detail

Origin:

early 17th century (in the sense 'minor items or events regarded collectively'): from French détail (noun), détailler (verb), from dé- (expressing separation) + tailler 'to cut' (based on Latin talea 'twig, cutting')