I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: bob (IV) + tail
1. : a bobbed tail
2. : something with a short or shortened tail: as
a. : old english sheepdog
b. also bobtail coat obsolete : a man's coat with short skirts as contrasted to one with tails
c. : a switching locomotive
3. : a bobtailed arrow
4. : something curtailed, shortened, or abbreviated
5. slang : a dishonorable discharge from one of the armed services
6. : a bobtail straight or flush in poker
7.
a. : a motortruck with a short wheelbase
b. : the tractor of a trailer truck
II. adjective
1. : having a bobtail
2.
a. : shortened, curtailed, abbreviated
b. : short ; especially : shorter than usual or common
c. : deficient
3.
a. poker : requiring either of two ranks of cards to make into a straight : open at both ends — used of four cards in a sequence
b. : requiring one more card of the same suit to become a flush — used of four cards of the same suit
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to dock the tail of
2. : to cut short : curtail , abbreviate