Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 125,594	$ 149,116
Unrecognized losses on derivative instruments, net of tax	(5,050)	(7,153)	(11,172)
Actuarial loss, net of tax	(40,258)	(35,783)
Prior service cost, net of tax	962	95
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 81,248	$ 106,275

Accumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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Accumulated adjustment, net of tax, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains or losses.

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- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

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