DETAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does detail mean? 

• DETAIL (noun)
  The noun DETAIL has 5 senses:

1. an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

2. a small part that can be considered separately from the whole

3. extended treatment of particulars

4. a crew of workers selected for a particular task

5. a temporary military unit

  Familiarity information: DETAIL used as a noun is common.

• DETAIL (verb)
  The verb DETAIL has 2 senses:

1. provide details for

2. assign to a specific task

  Familiarity information: DETAIL used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DETAIL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

detail; item; point

Context example:

a point of information

Hypernyms ("detail" is a kind of...):

fact (a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "detail"):

minutia (a small or minor detail)

nook and cranny; nooks and crannies (something remote)

regard; respect ((usually preceded by 'in') a detail or point)

sticking point (a point at which an impasse arises in progress toward an agreement or a goal)

trifle; triviality (a detail that is considered insignificant)

technicality (a specific detail in a set of rules or terms belonging to a particular field)

Derivation:

detail (provide details for)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A small part that can be considered separately from the whole

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Synonyms:

detail; item; particular

Context example:

it was perfect in all details

Hypernyms ("detail" is a kind of...):

component; component part; constituent; part; portion (something determined in relation to something that includes it)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "detail"):

high spot; highlight (the most interesting or memorable part)

Derivation:

detail (provide details for)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Extended treatment of particulars

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

the essay contained too much detail

Hypernyms ("detail" is a kind of...):

discourse; discussion; treatment (an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic)

Derivation:

detail (provide details for)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A crew of workers selected for a particular task

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Context example:

a detail was sent to remove the fallen trees

Hypernyms ("detail" is a kind of...):

crew; gang; work party (an organized group of workmen)

Derivation:

detail (assign to a specific task)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A temporary military unit

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

contingent; detail

Context example:

the peacekeeping force includes one British contingent

Hypernyms ("detail" is a kind of...):

force; military force; military group; military unit (a unit that is part of some military service)

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

Derivation:

detail (assign to a specific task)

• DETAIL (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they detail    ... he / she / it details   
Past simple: detailed   
Past participle: detailed   
-ing form: detailing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Provide details for

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "detail" is one way to...):

dilate; elaborate; enlarge; expand; expatiate; exposit; expound; flesh out; lucubrate (add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

detail (an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole)

detail (extended treatment of particulars)

detail (a small part that can be considered separately from the whole)

detailing (an individualized description of a particular instance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Assign to a specific task

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Context example:

The ambulances were detailed to the fire station

Hypernyms (to "detail" is one way to...):

assign; set apart; specify (select something or someone for a specific purpose)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

detail (a crew of workers selected for a particular task)

detail (a temporary military unit)

 Context examples 

If this is how things work out, keep in mind that Neptune will be in hard angle to the full moon, obscuring details.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

No matter whether she liked it or not, it had gripped her and mastered her, made her sit there and listen and forget details.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Such events had been observed previously, but never to this degree and in such detail.

(NuSTAR sees rare blurring of black hole light, NASA)

When the gnat had heard that, she flew away again, and revealed everything, down to the minutest detail, to the willow-wren.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

An international team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Cambridge and MSD has created the first detailed genetic map of human proteins, the key building blocks of biology.

(Scientists create ‘genetic atlas’ of proteins in human blood, University of Cambridge)

With the power of ALMA, which allowed a detailed look into the star-forming region AFGL 5142, astronomers could pinpoint where phosphorus-bearing molecules, like phosphorus monoxide, form.

(Astronomers Reveal Interstellar Thread of One of Life’s Building Blocks, ESO)

“These results help us understand how the brain processes the details of our past waking experiences or episodic memories.”

(Our brains may ripple before remembering, National Institutes of Health)

I think that I should prefer to stay here a little and go into one or two questions of detail.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In the window was a sumptuous writing-desk, and every detail of the apartment, the pictures, the rugs, and the hangings, all pointed to a taste which was luxurious to the verge of effeminacy.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)