DOVETAIL


Meaning of DOVETAIL in English

I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun

( -s )

: something (as a flaring tenon, tongue, or machine part) felt to resemble a dove's tail in shape

cutting dovetails in the end of a timber

especially : dovetail joint

[s]dovetail.jpg[/s] [

dovetail: 1 mortises, 2 tenons, 3 joint

]

II. verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

transitive verb

1.

a. : to join (as timbers) by means of dovetails

b. : to cut to a dovetail or into dovetails

dovetailing the end of the board with a special device

2.

a. : to fit, connect, or combine skillfully or exactly to form a continuous or harmonious whole : fit ingeniously or precisely

the manner in which he dovetails his investigations into their sociological framework is unique — New Statesman & Nation

b. : to fit together with : interlock with

my discoveries dovetail those made by others

intransitive verb

: to fit together into a unified or coordinated whole

the way the laws of chemistry and physics dovetail

corn growing and hog raising dovetail into a practical efficient enterprise in parts of the Middle West

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.