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detail

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A detail is defined as an individual fact or feature, or is a small or minor part of something, or a small group of people assigned to a specific task.

(noun)

When you consider every aspect of a new law, this is an example of when you consider every detail.
When you look at a large painting and notice the tiny little hands of one of the people in the painting, this is an example of noticing the detail of the painting.
A small group of Secret Service agents assigned to guard the President are an example of the President's security detail.

The definition of detail is to describe or give information about something, or to clean and shine all parts of an automobile.

(verb)

When you describe your plan to a friend, this is an example of when you detail your plan.
Washing and waxing the dashboard of a car is an example of a step to detail a car.

See detail in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the act of dealing with things item by item: the detail of business
a minute account: to go into detail
any of the small parts that go to make up something; item; particular: the details of a plan
1. any small secondary or accessory part or parts of a picture, statue, building, etc.
2. a small segment as of a painting, reproduced separately for detailed study
1. one or more soldiers, sailors, etc. chosen for a particular task
2. the task itself

Origin: Fr détail < the v.

transitive verb

to give the particulars of; tell, item by item
to choose for a particular task: detail a man for sentry duty
☆ to clean (an automotive vehicle) inside and outside, with meticulous attention to details, usually for a fee

Origin: Fr detailler, to cut up, tell in particulars < dé- (L de), from + tailler, to cut: see tailor

See detail in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An individual part or item; a particular. See Synonyms at item.
Particulars considered individually and in relation to a whole: careful attention to detail.
A minor or an inconsequential item or aspect; a minutia: skipped the details to get to the main point.
A minute or thorough treatment or account: went into detail about his travels.
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.
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.
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.

transitive verb (dĭ-tālˈ) de·tailed, de·tail·ing, de·tails

To report or relate minutely or in particulars.
To name or state explicitly: detailed the charges against the defendant.
To provide with artistic or decorative detail: detailed the quilt with colorful appliqué.
To select and dispatch for a particular duty.
To clean (a car interior, for example) meticulously.

Origin:

Origin: French détail

Origin: , from Old French detail, a piece cut off

Origin: , from detaillir, to cut up

Origin: : de-, de-

Origin: + tailler, taillier, to cut; see tailor

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