De"tail (dE"tAl or dE*tAl"; 277), n. [F. détail, fr. détailler to cut in pieces, tell in detail; pref. dé- (L. de or dis-) + tailler to cut. See Tailor.]
1. A minute portion; one of the small parts; a particular; an item; -- used chiefly in the plural; as, the details of a scheme or transaction. The details of the campaign in Italy. Motley. 2. A narrative which relates minute points; an account which dwells on particulars. 3. (Mil.) The selection for a particular service of a person or a body of men; hence, the person or the body of men so selected. Detail drawing, a drawing of the full size, or on a large scale, of some part of a building, machine, etc. - - In detail, in subdivisions; part by part; item; circumstantially; with particularity. Syn. -- Account; relation; narrative; recital; explanation; narration. © Webster 1913
De"tail (dE*tAl"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detailed (-tAld"); p. pr. & vb. n. Detailing.] [Cf. F. détailler to cut up in pieces, tell in detail. See Detail, n.]
1. To relate in particulars; to particularize; to report minutely and distinctly; to enumerate; to specify; as, he detailed all the facts in due order. 2. (Mil.) To tell off or appoint for a particular service, as an officer, a troop, or a squadron. Syn. -- Detail, Detach. Detail respect the act of individualizing the person or body that is separated; detach, the removing for the given end or object. © Webster 1913
De*tail", n. (Arch. & Mach.) (a) A minor part, as, in a building, the cornice, caps of the buttresses, capitals of the columns, etc., or (called larger details) a porch, a gable with its windows, a pavilion, or an attached tower. (b) A detail drawing. In detail, in subdivisions; part by part; item by item; circumstantially; with particularity. © Webster 1913
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