Property, Plant And Equipment (Property, Plant And Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Property, Plant And Equipment
Land and improvements	$ 104,471	$ 98,826
Buildings	612,625	571,887
Leasehold improvements	188,231	124,509
Machinery and equipment	1,567,423	1,365,450
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment	99,287	93,049
Computer hardware and software	409,366	355,641
Transportation equipment	21,088	8,244
Construction in progress	2,325	593
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,004,816	2,618,199
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,363,481	1,166,807
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,641,335	$ 1,451,392

The gross amount of capitalized computer hardware and software costs as of the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

Transportation Equipment

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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, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets that include building structures held for productive use including any addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, such as interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived assets under construction that include construction costs to date on capital projects that have not been completed and assets being constructed that are not ready to be placed into service.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets commonly used in offices and stores. Examples include desks, chairs, and store fixtures.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use. This excludes land held for sale.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets that are an addition or improvement to assets held under lease arrangement.

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Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets used in the production process to produce goods and services.

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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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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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