First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1tail
noun, often attributive \ˈtāl\
Definition of TAIL
1
: the rear end or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body of an animal
2
: something resembling an animal's tail in shape or position: as a : a luminous stream of particles, gases, or ions extending from a comet especially in the antisolar direction b : the rear part of an airplane consisting usually of horizontal and vertical stabilizing surfaces with attached control surfaces
3
: retinue
4
5
a : buttocks, butt b usually vulgar : sexual intercourse
6
: the back, last, lower, or inferior part of something
7
: tailing 1 —usually used in plural
8
: the reverse of a coin —usually used in plural <tails, I win>
9
: one (as a detective) who follows or keeps watch on someone
10
: the blank space at the bottom of a page
11
: a location immediately or not far behind <had a posse on his tail>
— tailed \ˈtāld\ adjective
— tail·less \ˈtāl-ləs\ adjective
— tail·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
Origin of TAIL
Middle English, from Old English tægel; akin to Old High German zagal tail, Middle Irish dúal lock of hair
Other Zoology Terms
Rhymes with TAIL
2tail
verb
: to follow (someone) closely
: to move in a line that is not straight
Full Definition of TAIL
transitive verb1
: to connect end to end
2
a : to remove the tail of (an animal) : dock b : to remove the stem or bottom part of <topping and tailing gooseberries>
3
a : to make or furnish with a tail b : to follow or be drawn behind like a tail
4
: to follow for purposes of surveillance
intransitive verb
1
: to form or move in a straggling line
2
: to grow progressively smaller, fainter, or more scattered : abate —usually used with off <productivity is tailing off — Tom Nicholson>
3
: to swing or lie with the stern in a named direction —used of a ship at anchor
See tail defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TAIL
1523
3tail
noun
Definition of TAIL
: entail 1a
Origin of TAIL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from tailler
First Known Use: 14th century
4tail
adjective
Definition of TAIL
: limited as to tenure : entailed
Origin of TAIL
Middle English taille, from Anglo-French taylé, past participle of tailler to cut, limit — more at tailor
First Known Use: 15th century
TAIL Defined for Kids
1tail
noun \ˈtāl\
Definition of TAIL for Kids
1
: the rear part of an animal or a usually slender flexible growth that extends from this part
2
: something that in shape, appearance, or position is like an animal's tail <the tail of a coat>
3
: the back, last, or lower part of something <the tail of an airplane>
4
: the side or end opposite the head
— tailed \ˈtāld\ adjective
— tail·less \ˈtāl-ləs\ adjective
2tail
verb
tailedtail·ing
Definition of TAIL for Kids
: to follow closely to keep watch on <Police tailed the suspect.>
Medical Dictionary
tail
noun , often attrib \ˈtā(ə)l\
Medical Definition of TAIL
1
: the rear end or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body of an animal
2
: one end of a molecule regarded as opposite to the head; especially : the end of a lipid molecule that consists of a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and is opposite to the polar group <most surface-active agents have a long hydrophobic tail attached to a polar head—R. E. Kirk & D. F. Othmer>
3
: any of various parts of bodily structures that are terminal: as a : the distal tendon of a muscle b : the slender left end of the human pancreas c : the common convoluted tube that forms the lower part of the epididymis
4
: the motile part of a sperm that extends from the middle piece to the end and comprises the flagellum
5
: a thin protein tube which forms part of the coat of some bacteriophages and through which DNA is injected into a cell
—tailed \ˈtā(ə)ld\ adjective
—tail·less \ˈtā(ə)l-les\ adjective
Illustration of TAIL
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