Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry forward	$ 236,169	$ 272,117
Receivables	7,847	3,567
Inventories	10,139	9,285
Compensated absences	8,396	8,221
Accrued expenses	71,007	45,142
Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation and amortization	23,830	7,555
U.S. federal and state tax credits	63,655	27,048
Foreign jurisdiction tax credits	17,715	18,617
Cash flow hedges	5,294	7,455
Other	11,432	20,317
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowances	482,892	488,975
Less valuation allowances	(261,285)	(280,755)
Net deferred tax assets	221,607	208,220
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries	81,514	80,000
Intangible assets	44,637	43,867
Other	4,574	11,371
Total deferred tax liabilities	130,725	135,238
Net deferred tax assets	90,882	72,982
U.S.
Deferred tax assets:
Equity compensation	23,101	60,765
Non U.S.
Deferred tax assets:
Equity compensation	$ 4,307	$ 8,886