detail English · revision 4376

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1603|origins=fro detaillier}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdiː.teɪl/, /dɪˈteɪl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|détail]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Old French detail “a small piece or quantity”, literally “a cutting in pieces”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from detaillier “to cut in pieces” (12th century),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from de- “entirely, apart” and taillier “to cut”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) based on Latin talea “twig, cutting”.^(NODE 1998) It is related to [[tailor]] and [[retail]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ 1603, in the phrase ''in detail'', item by item,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) from French en détail “piece by piece”, the commercial opposite of en gros, used where English now has retail.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From item-by-item sale the meaning grew into the treatment of matters item by item.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) A minute account or narrative is from the 1690s,^(Etymonline) 1695 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and an individual part or particular from 1786.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In fine arts a small subordinate part is from 1823.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The military sense, the assignment of particular duties from the daily orders, is from 1703–08,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and a small group of soldiers sent on a special duty from 1780.^(Barnhart 1988) The verb, to relate in particulars, is from 1637–50,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and to assign to a duty from 1793.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Detailed'' is from 1740.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1603 – ''in detail''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1637–50 – verb, to relate minutely.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1695 – a minute account.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1703–08 – military orders.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1740 – ''detailed''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1780 – a squad on special duty.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1786 – a particular.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1793 – verb, to assign to a duty.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1823 – in fine arts.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An individual part or item; a [[particular]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Particulars considered together: ''attention to detail''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A minor or unimportant item.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A small part of a work of art, considered or reproduced on its own.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A small group of soldiers or workers given a special task, or the task itself.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To report in particulars; to [[itemize]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To assign to a special duty.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(North American)'' To clean (a motor vehicle) very thoroughly.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[detailer]]

+ * [[detailing]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tailor]]

+ * [[tally]]

+ * [[detailed]]

+ * [[retail]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}