noun
( -s )
Etymology: from gerund of tail (II)
1. : the act of one that tails
the tailing of people is a normal part of detective and intelligence work
2. : inferior or refuse material separated as residue in processing — usually used in plural: as
a. : stones that tail over the largest openings of the screen of a stone crusher
b. : the lighter inferior coffee berries floated away in washing
c. : the gangue and other refuse material resulting from the washing, concentration, or treatment of ground ore
the tailings of the silver mines of those times are being worked over for the tin that was then discarded — Marrion Wilcox
— compare concentrate , head , middling
3. : the last part of something
4. : the part of a projecting stone or brick inserted in a wall
5. : a blur or other break in impression in textile printing
6. tailings plural : the lighter and coarser particles (as bran or fibrous or flaked endosperm) that tail over the sieves of a purifier while the heavier middlings pass through
7. tailings plural : gruffs
8. tailings plural : the parts (as of crude spirit) that come over last in fractional distillation : foots
9. : a refused tanning liquor
10. : short lengths of yarn or fabric — usually used in plural