Tail Definition
tāl
tailed, tailing, tails
noun
tails
The rear end of an animal's body, esp. when forming a distinct, flexible appendage to the trunk.
Webster's New World
A long thin arrangement, part, or structure, often extending from a main structure:
American Heritage
Anything like an animal's tail in form or position.
The tail of a shirt.
Webster's New World
Something that follows something else or takes the last place:
American Heritage
A luminous train behind a comet or meteor.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adjective
Of or relating to a tail or tails.
Tail feathers.
American Heritage
At the rear or rear end.
Webster's New World
Situated in the tail, as of an airplane.
A tail gunner.
American Heritage
From the rear.
A tail wind.
Webster's New World
Of or relating to a tail or tails.
Tail feathers.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
tailed, tailing, tails
To provide with a tail.
Webster's New World
To straggle.
Webster's New World
To deprive of a tail; dock.
American Heritage Medicine
To cut or detach the tail or taillike part from.
Webster's New World
To form the tail or end of, as of a group or procession; be at the rear or end of.
Webster's New World
idiom
with (one's) tail between (one's) legs
- In a state of humiliation or dejection.
American Heritage
with (one's) tail between (one's) legs
- In a state of humiliation or dejection.
American Heritage
on someone's tail
- following or shadowing someone closely
Webster's New World
turn tail
- to run from danger, difficulty, hardship, etc.
Webster's New World
with one's tail between one's legs
- in defeat or in escape from expected defeat, esp. with fear or dejection
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Tail
- with (one's) tail between (one's) legs
- with (one's) tail between (one's) legs
- on someone's tail
- turn tail
- with one's tail between one's legs
Origin of Tail
-
Middle English taille from Old French division from taillier to cut tailor
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English tægel
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English tægel
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Tail Is Also Mentioned In
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