DET

n. Stands for determiner. You use this to label words like 'the', 'a', or 'this' that come before a noun.

n. Abbreviation for determiner. Used in linguistic analysis to categorise functional words that specify the reference of a noun phrase.

“In your grammar exercise, please mark each 'the' and 'some' as a DET.”

“The student correctly identified the possessive pronoun as a DET within the syntactic tree diagram.”

Technical

n. Stands for detachment. It refers to a small group of soldiers sent away from a larger group for a special task.

n. Abbreviation for detachment. Refers to a permanent or temporary unit separated from a higher command for a specific mission.

“The general sent a small DET to guard the bridge during the night.”

“The operational report indicated that the DET had successfully established a forward observation post three miles from the main battalion.”

American English · Technical

n. Stands for diethyltryptamine. This is a powerful chemical that can change how a person sees or feels things.

n. Abbreviation for diethyltryptamine. A psychedelic drug and structural analog of dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

“The scientist studied the effects of DET on the brain in the laboratory.”

“Research into the pharmacological properties of DET suggests a high affinity for serotonin receptors, similar to other tryptamine derivatives.”

Technical

n. A short way of writing detective, often used in police reports or on office doors.

n. Abbreviation for detective. Frequently employed as a written honorific or shorthand in law enforcement documentation.

“The file was marked for the attention of DET Miller.”

“The witness requested to speak directly with DET Henderson regarding the new evidence found at the scene.”

Informal