en·sure ( µn-sh‹r") v. tr. en·sured en·sur·ing en·sures 1. To make sure or certain; insure: Our precautions ensured our safety. See note at assure . [Middle English ensuren from Anglo-Norman enseurer Old French en- causative pref.; See en- 1 Old French seur secure, variant of sur; See sure ]

closed circuit n. 1. An electric circuit providing an uninterrupted, endless path for the flow of current. 2. A television transmission circuit with a limited number of reception stations and no broadcast facilities. closed "-cir"cuit ( kl½zd"sûr"k¹t) adj.

shop·lift ( sh¼p"l¹ft") v. shop·lift·ed shop·lift·ing shop·lifts v. intr. 1. To steal merchandise from a store that is open for business. v. tr. 1. To steal (articles or an article) from a store that is open for business. shop "lift"er n. shop "lift"ing n.

de·tached ( d¹-t²cht") adj. 1. Separated; disconnected: a detached part; a detached plug. 2. Standing apart from others; separate: a house with a detached garage. 3. Marked by an absence of emotional involvement and an aloof, impersonal objectivity. See note at cool . See note at indifferent . de·tach "ed·ly ( -t²ch"¹d-l¶, -t ²cht"l¶) adv. de·tach "ed·ness n.

de·tach ( d¹-t²ch") v. tr. de·tached de·tach·ing de·tach·es 1. To separate or unfasten; disconnect: detach a check from the checkbook; detach burs from one's coat. 2. To remove from association or union with something: detach a calf from its mother; detached herself from the group. 3. To send (troops or ships, for example) on a special mission. [French détacher from Old French destachier des- de- attachier to attach; See attach ] de·tach "a·bil"i·ty n. de·tach "a·ble adj. de·tach "a·bly adv.

de·tailed ( d¹-t³ld", d ¶"t³ld") adj. 1. Characterized by abundant use of detail or thoroughness of treatment: a detailed report on the state of the economy.

Synonyms: detailed circumstantial minute particular The central meaning shared by these adjectives is " marked by attention to detail ": a detailed account of the trip; a circumstantial narrative; an exact and minute report; a faithful and particular description.

de·tail ( d¹-t³l", d ¶"t³l") n. Abbr. det. 1. An individual part or item; a particular. See note at item . 2. Particulars considered individually and in relation to a whole: careful attention to detail. 3. A minor or an inconsequential item or aspect; a minutia: skipped the details to get to the main point. 4. A minute or thorough treatment or account: went into detail about his travels. 5. a. A discrete part or portion of a work, such as a painting, building, or decorative object, especially when considered in isolation. b. A representation of such a part or portion: a detail of a Rembrandt portrait illustrating the technique of chiaroscuro. 6. a. A small elaborated element of a work of art, craft, or design. b. Such elements considered together: the intricate detail of a rococo altarpiece. c. The rendering of artistic detail: the fine detail of the painter's brushwork. 7. a. The selection of one or more troops for a particular duty, usually a fatigue duty. b. The personnel so selected. c. The duty assigned: garbage detail. v. tr. de·tailed de·tail·ing de·tails ( d¹-t³l") 1. To report or relate minutely or in particulars. 2. To name or state explicitly: detailed the charges against the defendant. 3. To provide with artistic or decorative detail: detailed the quilt with colorful appliqué. 4. To select and dispatch for a particular duty.

Idioms: in detail 1. With attention to particulars; thoroughly or meticulously: explained her proposal in detail. [French détail from Old French detail a piece cut off from detaillir to cut up de- de- tailler to cut; See tailor ] de·tail "er n.

de·tain ( d¹-t³n") v. tr. de·tained de·tain·ing de·tains 1. To keep from proceeding; delay or retard. See note at delay . 2. To keep in custody or temporary confinement: The police detained several suspects for questioning. The disruptive students were detained after school until their parents had been notified. 3. Obsolete To retain or withhold (payment or property, for example). [Middle English deteinen from Old French detenir from Vulgar Latin *d ¶tenºre from Latin d¶tin¶red¶- de- ten¶re to hold; See ten- in Indo-European Roots.] de·tain "ment n.

de·tect ( d¹-tµkt") v. tr. de·tect·ed de·tect·ing de·tects 1. To discover or ascertain the existence, presence, or fact of. 2. To discern the true nature or character of: detected malice behind the smile. 3. Electronics To demodulate. [Middle English detecten from Latin d¶tegere d¶tect-to uncover d¶- de- tegere to cover; See (s)teg- in Indo-European Roots.] de·tect "a·ble or de·tect "i·ble adj. de·tect "er n.

de·terge ( d¹-tûrj") v. tr. de·terged de·terg·ing de·terg·es 1. To wash or wipe off (a wound, for example); cleanse. [French déterger from Latin d¶terg¶red¶- de- terg¶re to wipe]

de·ter ( d¹-tûr") v. de·terred de·ter·ring de·ters v. tr. 1. To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt: " Does negotiated disarmament deter war? " Edward Teller See note at dissuade . v. intr. 1. To prevent or discourage the occurrence of an action, as by means of fear or doubt: " It's this edge that gives nuclear weapons their power to deter " Thomas Powers [Latin d¶terr¶red¶- de- terr¶re to frighten] de·ter "ment n. de·ter "ra·ble adj. de·ter "rer n.

de·test ( d¹-tµst") v. tr. de·test·ed de·test·ing de·tests 1. To dislike intensely; abhor. [French détester from Latin d¶test³rº to curse d¶- de- test³rº to invoke( from testis witness) ;See trei- in Indo-European Roots.] de·test "er n.

de·tour ( d¶"t‹r", d ¹-t‹r") n. 1. A roundabout way or course, especially a road used temporarily instead of a main route. 2. A deviation from a direct course of action. v. intr. tr. de·toured de·tour·ing de·tours 1. To go or cause to go by a roundabout way. [French détour from Old French destor from destorner to turn away des- de- torner to turn; See turn ]