Definitions for the word "tail" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. n.
Limitation; abridgment.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. a.
Limited; abridged; reduced; curtailed; as, estate tail.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. n.
The terminal, and usually flexible, posterior appendage of an animal.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
Any long, flexible terminal appendage; whatever resembles, in shape or position, the tail of an animal, as a catkin.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
Hence, the back, last, lower, or inferior part of anything, -- as opposed to the head, or the superior part.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
A train or company of attendants; a retinue.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
The side of a coin opposite to that which bears the head, effigy, or date; the reverse; -- rarely used except in the expression "heads or tails," employed when a coin is thrown up for the purpose of deciding some point by its fall.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. n.
The distal tendon of a muscle.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. n.
A downy or feathery appendage to certain achenes. It is formed of the permanent elongated style.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. n.
A portion of an incision, at its beginning or end, which does not go through the whole thickness of the skin, and is more painful than a complete incision; -- called also tailing.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. n.
One of the strips at the end of a bandage formed by splitting the bandage one or more times.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. n.
A rope spliced to the strap of a block, by which it may be lashed to anything.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. n.
The part of a note which runs perpendicularly upward or downward from the head; the stem.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. n.
Same as Tailing, 4.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. n.
The bottom or lower portion of a member or part, as a slate or tile.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
16. n.
See Tailing, n., 5.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
17. v. t.
To follow or hang to, like a tail; to be attached closely to, as that which can not be evaded.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
18. v. t.
To pull or draw by the tail.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
19. v. i.
To hold by the end; -- said of a timber when it rests upon a wall or other support; -- with in or into.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
20. v. i.
To swing with the stern in a certain direction; -- said of a vessel at anchor; as, this vessel tails down stream.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
21. n.
1 hindmost part of an animal, esp. Extending beyond the body. 2 a thing like a tail, esp. An extension at the rear. B rear of a procession etc. 3 rear part of an aeroplane, vehicle, or rocket. 4 luminous trail following a comet. 5 inferior, weaker, or last part of anything. 6 part of a shirt or coat below the waist at the back. 7 (in pl.) Colloq. A tailcoat. B evening dress including this. 8 (in pl.) Reverse of a coin as a choice when tossing. 9 colloq. Person following another. v. 1 remove the stalks of (fruit). 2 (often foll. By after) colloq. Follow closely. on a person''s tail closely following a person. Tail off (or away) gradually decrease or diminish; end inconclusively. With one''s tail between one''s legs dejected, humiliated. tailless adj. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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