Changes in Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jul. 26, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 25, 2013	Oct. 26, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		$ 1,128,977us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 1,098,962us-gaap_Goodwill
Goodwill from acquisitions		17,741us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	21,640us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Goodwill adjustments		(1,427)us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease	2,904us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Goodwill impairment	(3,500)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss	0us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss	(3,454)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss	(52,169)us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(51,043)us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments	8,925us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Goodwill, Ending Balance		1,071,786us-gaap_Goodwill	1,128,977us-gaap_Goodwill	1,098,962us-gaap_Goodwill
Goodwill write off on assets held for sale		(22,462)esl_GoodwillWriteOffOnAssetsHeldForSale
Avionics & Controls
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		464,703	456,092
Goodwill from acquisitions		0	21,640
Goodwill adjustments		0	0
Goodwill impairment			(3,454)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(18,355)	(9,575)
Goodwill, Ending Balance		440,015	464,703
Goodwill write off on assets held for sale		(6,333)
Sensors & Systems
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		449,483	428,420
Goodwill from acquisitions		17,741	0
Goodwill adjustments		(1,427)	2,904
Goodwill impairment			0
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(31,742)	18,159
Goodwill, Ending Balance		425,353	449,483
Goodwill write off on assets held for sale		(8,702)
Advanced Materials
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		214,791	214,450
Goodwill from acquisitions		0	0
Goodwill adjustments		0	0
Goodwill impairment			0
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(946)	341
Goodwill, Ending Balance		206,418	214,791
Goodwill write off on assets held for sale		$ (7,427)

Goodwill write off of assets held for sale.

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Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Amount of increase (decrease) from foreign currency translation adjustments of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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