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1. Dictionary

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

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3. 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, idioms, and grammar usage. See how tail can refer to an animal's body part, a person who follows, a coin side, a jacket, a cricket term, and more.

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

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word tail, from the hindmost part of an animal to a line of people or things. Find out the synonyms, antonyms, and related terms for tail.

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

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   Learn the meaning of tail as a noun and a verb, with examples of different contexts and expressions. Find out how to pronounce tail and how to translate it in other languages.

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

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word tail in English, from animal appendage to coin side to verb. Find synonyms, pronunciation, examples, and related terms for tail.

7. 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.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › tailTail - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › tail

   The part of a dog's body that wags enthusiastically when the dog is happy is the tail. In mammals, tails are actually an extension of the spinal column. Tails serve various purposes in different animals.