n.
Pronunciation: ' t ā l
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tægel; akin to Old High German zagal tail, Middle Irish dúal lock of hair
Date: before 12th century
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 plural a : TAILCOAT b : full evening dress for men
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 < tail s, 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 \ ' t ā ld \ adjective
– tail · less \ ' t ā l-l ə s \ adjective
– tail · like \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective