Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$ 36,767	$ 35,481
Buildings and leasehold improvements	291,026	277,268
Machinery and equipment	723,172	685,496
Total property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,050,965	998,245
Less: allowance for depreciation and amortization	632,133	608,218
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 418,832	$ 390,027

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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- Definition

Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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