Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Detail \De"tail\ (d[-e]*t[=a]l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detailed}
   (-t[=a]ld"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Detailing}.] [Cf. F.
   d['e]tailler 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}.

   Usage: Detail respect the act of individualizing the person
          or body that is separated; detach, the removing for
          the given end or object.

Detail \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.

Detail \De"tail\ (d[=e]"t[=a]l or d[-e]*t[=a]l"; 277), n. [F.
   d['e]tail, fr. d['e]tailler to cut in pieces, tell in detail;
   pref. d['e]- (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.

Source : WordNet®

detail
     n 1: an isolated fact that is considered separately from the
          whole; "several of the details are similar"; "a point of
          information" [syn: {item}, {point}]
     2: a small part that can be considered separately from the
        whole; "it was perfect in all details" [syn: {particular},
         {item}]
     3: extended treatment of particulars; "the essay contained too
        much detail"
     4: a crew of workers selected for a particular task; "a detail
        was sent to remove the fallen trees"
     5: a temporary military unit; "the peace-keeping force includes
        one British contingent" [syn: {contingent}]

detail
     v 1: provide details for
     2: assign to a specific task; "The ambulances were detailed to
        the fire station"