~ 1
■ noun
1》 the hindmost part of an animal, especially when extended beyond the rest of the body, such as the flexible extension of the backbone in a vertebrate or the feathers at the hind end of a bird.
2》 something extending downwards, outwards, or back like an animal's ~.
↘the rear part of an aircraft, with the ~plane and rudder.
↘the luminous trail of particles following a comet.
3》 the final, more distant, or weaker part: the ~ of a hurricane.
↘ Cricket the end of the batting order, with the weakest batsmen.
4》 the lower or hanging part at the back of a shirt or coat.
↘( ~s ) informal a ~coat, or a man's formal evening suit with such a coat.
5》 ( ~s ) the side of a coin without the image of a head on it (used when tossing a coin to determine a winner).
6》 informal a person secretly following another to observe their movements.
7》 informal, chiefly N. Amer. a person's buttocks.
↘ vulgar slang a woman's genitals.
↘ informal women collectively regarded as a means of sexual gratification.
■ verb
1》 informal secretly follow and observe (someone).
2》 ( ~ off/away ) gradually diminish in amount or intensity.
↘( ~ back ) Brit. (of traffic) become congested and form a ~back.
3》 N. Amer. (of an object in flight) drift or curve in a particular direction.
4》 ( ~ something in/into ) insert the end of a beam, stone, or brick into (a wall).
5》 archaic join (one thing) to another.
Phrases
on someone's ~ informal following someone closely.
with one's ~ between one's legs informal in a state of dejection or humiliation.
Derivatives
~ed adjective
~less adjective
Origin
OE tæg(e)l , from a Gmc base meaning 'hair, hairy ~'.
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~ 2
■ noun Law, chiefly historical limitation of ownership, especially of an estate or title limited to a person and their direct descendants.
Origin
ME (denoting a tallage): from OFr. ~le 'notch, tax', from ~lier 'to cut'.