Main Entry: ¹de·tail

Pronunciation: \di-ˈtāl, ˈdē-ˌtāl\

Function: noun

Etymology: French détail, from Old French detail slice, piece, from detaillier to cut in pieces, from de- + taillier to cut — more at tailor

Date: 1603

1 : extended treatment of or attention to particular items
2 : a part of a whole: as a : a small and subordinate part : particular; also : a reproduction of such a part of a work of art b : a part considered or requiring to be considered separately from the whole c : the small elements that collectively constitute a work of art d : the small elements of a photographic image corresponding to those of the subject
3 a : selection of a person or group for a particular task (as in military service) b (1) : the person or group selected (2) : the task to be performed

synonyms see item

— in detail : with all the particulars <explained the job in detail>