Library / English Dictionary

DETAIL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

Example:

a point of information

Synonyms:

detail; item; point

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

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:

Extended treatment of particulars

Example:

the essay contained too much detail

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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 3

Meaning:

A crew of workers selected for a particular task

Example:

a detail was sent to remove the fallen trees

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

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

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

Derivation:

detail (assign to a specific task)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A temporary military unit

Example:

the peacekeeping force includes one British contingent

Synonyms:

contingent; detail

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

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)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A small part that can be considered separately from the whole

Example:

it was perfect in all details

Synonyms:

detail; item; particular

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

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)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Assign to a specific task

Example:

The ambulances were detailed to the fire station

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

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)

Sense 2

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)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The first images from NSF’s Inouye Solar Telescope show a close-up view of the sun’s surface, which can provide important detail for scientists.

(Newest solar telescope produces first images, National Science Foundation)

Oh! Not the ten-thousandth portion of the anguish that was mine during the lingering detail of its execution.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I brooded by the hour together over the map, all the details of which I well remembered.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

These outlines are a part of a study protocol which is more a detailed and comprehensive study document.

(Planned Clinical Study, NCI Thesaurus)

A microscopic technique in which the amplitude shift that occurs when light passes through a specimen highlights structures or details within the specimen.

(Phase-Contrast Microscopy, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

For properties, the qualifier provides additional detail regarding the nature of a concept property (e.g., a property effective date, or an indicator reflecting that the property is Current).

(NCI Thesaurus Qualifier, NCI Thesaurus)

The qualifier provides additional detail regarding the nature of a concept property (e.g., a property effective date, or an indicator reflecting that the property is Current).

(NCI Thesaurus Property Qualifier, NCI Thesaurus)

NOTE(S): Please refer to the Performed Activity Status state transition diagram for further details.

(Performed Activity Status Code, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)

The combined scans give more detailed pictures of areas inside the body than either scan gives by itself.

(PET-CT scan, NCI Dictionary)

The details were few and startling.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)