de·tail (d -t l , d tl )n. 1. An individual part or item; a particular. See Synonyms at item. 2. Particulars considered individually and in relation to a whole: careful attention to detail. 3. A minor or an inconsequential item or aspect; a minutia: skipped the details to get to the main point. 4. A minute or thorough treatment or account: went into detail about his travels. 5. a. A discrete part or portion of a work, such as a painting, building, or decorative object, especially when considered in isolation. b. A representation of such a part or portion: a detail of a Rembrandt portrait illustrating the technique of chiaroscuro. 6. a. A small elaborated element of a work of art, craft, or design. b. Such elements considered together: the intricate detail of a rococo altarpiece. c. The rendering of artistic detail: the fine detail of the painter's brushwork. 7. a. The selection of one or more troops for a particular duty, usually a fatigue duty. b. The personnel so selected. c. The duty assigned: garbage detail. tr.v. (d Idiom: -tl) de·tailed, de·tail·ing, de·tails 1. To report or relate minutely or in particulars. 2. To name or state explicitly: detailed the charges against the defendant. 3. To provide with artistic or decorative detail: detailed the quilt with colorful appliqué. 4. To select and dispatch for a particular duty. 5. To clean (a car interior, for example) meticulously. in detail With attention to particulars; thoroughly or meticulously: explained her proposal in detail. [French détail, from Old French detail, a piece cut off, from detaillir, to cut up : de-, de- + tailler, taillier, to cut; see tailor.] de·tail er n. |
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