Number of operating segments. An operating segment is a component of an enterprise: (a) that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the same enterprise), (b) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise's chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and (c) for which discrete financial information is available. An operating segment may engage in business activities for which it has yet to earn revenues, for example, start-up operations may be operating segments before earning revenues.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014 Segment	Feb. 28, 2014 Preferred Stock Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]	Feb. 28, 2014 Leucadia [Member] Preferred Stock Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]	Feb. 28, 2014 3.875% Convertible Senior Debentures, due 2029 [Member]	Feb. 28, 2014 3.875% Convertible Senior Debentures, due 2029 [Member] Leucadia [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of shares of Leucadia common stock received for each share of Jefferies common stock	0.81
Convertible Senior Debentures, interest rate				3.875%	3.875%
Convertible Senior Debentures, due date					2029
Dividend of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock		3.25%	3.25%
Number of operating segments	2