detailing
UK[ˈdiːteɪlɪŋ]US[ˈdiːteɪlɪŋ]
n
The act of describing or dealing with something item by item; the process of giving a detailed account or list.
n
The small, intricate features or decorative elements of something, especially when considered collectively.
n
The process of thoroughly cleaning and polishing a vehicle, typically its interior and exterior.
Morpheme Breakdown
detail
ing
detail
small part
ing
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'detailing' originates from the Old French verb 'detaillier', meaning 'to cut in pieces'. This verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 'de-' and 'taillier', meaning 'to cut', which traces back to the Vulgar Latin 'taliare', a derivative of the Latin 'talea' meaning 'a slender cutting, stick'. The core logic is one of division: to cut something off or apart into smaller pieces. Over time, the noun 'detail' evolved from this literal sense of a small, cut-off piece to signify a minor, individual feature or item. The addition of the '-ing' suffix transforms the concept into the action or process of enumerating, describing, or meticulously attending to these individual small parts, whether in narrative, design, or cleaning.
Analysis
Structure: detail (small part) + ing (noun suffix)
detail (from Old French detail, from detaillier 'to cut in pieces', from de- 'off, completely' + taillier 'to cut'; Latin origin via Vulgar Latin taliare); ing (from Old English -ung, -ing, a suffix forming nouns from verbs, denoting an action or its result).
Examples
The report required careful detailing of all the project's expenses.
The architectural detailing on the historic building's facade is exquisite.
He runs a successful business specializing in automotive detailing and restoration.