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   Tail

   /tāl/

   

   noun

   • 1. the hindmost part of an animal, especially when prolonged beyond the rest of the body, such as the flexible extension of the backbone in a vertebrate, the feathers at the hind end of a bird, or a terminal appendage in an insect: "the dog's tail began to wag frantically" Similar hindmost partback endappendagebrushscutdocktailpiecetail feathershind parthindquarterstechnical:caudauropygiumOpposite fronthead
   • 2. a thing resembling an animal's tail in its shape or position, typically something extending downward or outward at the end of something: "the trailed tail of a capital "
   • ▪ the rear part of an airplane, with the horizontal stabilizer and rudder: "the fuselage tapers sharply toward the tail"
   • ▪ the lower or hanging part of a garment, especially the back of a shirt or coat: "he stormed off, the tails of his jacket flapping behind him"
   • ▪ a tailcoat; a man's formal evening suit with such a coat: informal "the men looked debonair in white tie and tails"
   • ▪ the luminous trail of particles following a comet.
   • ▪ the lower end of a pool or stream: "shallow riffles and the tails of pools are prime feeding areas"
   • ▪ the exposed end of a slate or tile in a roof: "the slates are dressed with the beveled tail and edge characteristic of thick, square stone roofing"
   • 3. the end of a long train or line of people or vehicles: "an armored truck at the tail of the convoy"
   • ▪ the final, more distant, or weaker part of something: "the forecast says we're in for the tail of a hurricane" Similar rearendbackextremityconclusionbottomlowest partinformal:fag endcloseendconclusionterminationtail endOpposite headfrontbeginningstart
   • 4. a person secretly following another to observe their movements: informal "I can't put a tail on him, I don't know where he's gone" Similar detectiveinvestigatorprivate investigatorshadowinformal:sleuthprivate eyetecgumshoebogeydickprivate dickshamus
   • 5. a person's buttocks: informal North American "fireworks followed when the coach kicked Ryan in his tail" Similar buttocksbacksidebehindbottomseatrumprearrear endcheekshindquartershaunchesderrièreSitzfleischtechnical:natesinformal:sit-uponsternBTMtochusrusty dustybumbottypratjacksiebahookiebuttfannytushtushieduffbunsbootycabooseheiniepatootiekeistertuchisbazoobippybattyrasshumorous:fundamentposteriorvulgar slang:arseclungeassarchaic:breech
   • ▪ a woman's genitals. vulgar slang
   • ▪ women collectively regarded as a means of sexual gratification: informal "I was getting worried that both of us would be chasing tail and getting into trouble for the rest of our lives"
   • 6. the reverse side of a coin (used when tossing a coin): "the chances of heads and tails in the long run are equal"

   verb

   • 1. follow and observe (someone) closely, especially in secret: "a flock of paparazzi had tailed them all over Paris"
   • ▪ follow: "they went to their favorite cafe—Bill and Sally tailed along"
   • 2. provide with a tail: "her calligraphy was topped by banners of black ink and tailed like the haunches of fabulous beasts"
   • 3. (of an object in flight) drift or curve in a particular direction: North American "the next pitch tailed in on me at the last second"
   • 4. join (one thing) to another: archaic "each new row of houses tailed on its drains to those of its neighbors"

   Word Origin Old Englishtæg(e)l, from a Germanic base meaning ‘hair, hairy tail’; related to Middle Low German tagel ‘twisted whip, rope's end’. The early sense of the verb (early 16th century) was ‘fasten to the back of something’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. tailless adjective
   • 2. taillessness noun

   Scrabble Points: 4

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • L

     1

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2. People also ask

   What does tail mean?

   • Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! The meaning of TAIL is the rear end or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body of an animal. How to use tail in a sentence.

   Tail Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   What is a tail used for?

   • The rear, elongated part of many animals, extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body. Tails are used variously for balance, combat, communication, mating displays, fat storage, propulsion and course correction in water, and course correction in air.

   TAIL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   What does it mean if someone is wearing a tail?

   • If someone is wearing tails, they are wearing a formal jacket which has two long pieces hanging down at the back. To tail someone means to follow close behind them and watch where they go and what they do. Officers had tailed the gang from London during a major undercover inquiry. [VERB noun]

   TAIL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What does a tailcoat mean in slang?

   • : the rear part of an airplane consisting usually of horizontal and vertical stabilizing surfaces with attached control surfaces : tailcoat : full evening dress for men slang, vulgar : sexual intercourse : to follow or be drawn behind like a tail

   Tail Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › tailTail Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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4. www.dictionary.com › browse › tailTAIL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   noun. the hindmost part of an animal, especially that forming a distinct, flexible appendage to the back end of its body. something resembling or suggesting this in shape or position: the tail of a kite. Astronomy. the luminous stream extending from the head of a comet. the reverse of a coin ( head ).

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishTAIL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of tail as a noun and a verb in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and idioms. Find out how to use tail in different contexts, such as animal body part, person following, coin side, grammar, cricket, and more.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryTAIL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

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   tail noun [C] (BODY PART) Add to word list. Add to word list. a part of the body of an animal attached to the base of the back, or something similar in shape or position: The dog greeted us, wagging its tail. The comet’s tail glowed in the night sky.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitiontail noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of the word tail as a noun in English. Find out the different types of tails, such as animal tails, plane tails, and coin tails, and the idioms related to tail.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishTAIL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   2 days ago · Learn the various meanings and uses of the word tail in English, from animal appendage to formal jacket to informal spy. See synonyms, pronunciation, grammar, and examples of tail in different contexts.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › tailTail - definition of tail by The Free Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word tail in different contexts, such as zoology, anatomy, law, and slang. Find synonyms, related words, and idioms for tail in the online dictionary.