detach detaches, detaching, detached
VERB If you detach something, you remove or unfasten it.
detachable ADJECTIVE
detached
ADJECTIVE separate or standing apart • It was a detached house, standing alone at the top of the hill.
detail details
NOUN 1 an individual fact or feature of something • I remember every detail of that film.
PLURAL NOUN 2 Details about something are information about it. For example, your details might be your name and address.
detain detains, detaining, detained
VERB If you detain someone, you keep them from going somewhere or doing something.
detect detects, detecting, detected
VERB If you detect something, you notice or find it. • X-rays can detect broken bones.
detective detectives
NOUN a person, usually a police officer, whose job is to investigate crimes
detector detectors
NOUN an instrument used to detect the presence of something • a metal detector
detention
NOUN 1 a form of punishment in which a pupil is made to stay in school for extra time when other children do not have to
2 arrest or imprisonment
deter deters, deterring, deterred
VERB If you deter someone from doing something, you persuade them not to do it or try to stop them in some way.
detergent detergents
NOUN a chemical substance used for washing or cleaning things
deteriorate deteriorates, deteriorating, deteriorated
VERB If something deteriorates, it gets worse.
deterioration NOUN
determination
NOUN a great strength and will to do something
determined
ADJECTIVE having your mind firmly made up • She was determined to pass her exams.
deterrent deterrents
NOUN something that prevents people from doing something, usually by making them afraid to do it • We have a car alarm as a deterrent to car thieves.
detest detests, detesting, detested
VERB If you detest someone or something, you dislike them intensely.
[from Latin detestari meaning to curse]
detestable ADJECTIVE
detonate detonates, detonating, detonated
VERB If someone detonates a bomb or mine, they cause it to explode.
detonation NOUN detonator NOUN
detour detours
NOUN If you make a detour on a journey, you go by a longer or less direct route.
devastate devastates, devastating, devastated
VERB A place that has been devastated has been severely damaged or destroyed.
devastation NOUN
develop develops, developing, developed
VERB 1 When something develops, it grows or becomes more advanced.
2 If you develop photographs or film, you produce a visible image from them.
development developments
NOUN gradual growth or progress • There have been great developments in technology over the past fifty years.
device devices