bangtail

noun

bang·​tail ˈbaŋ-ˌtāl How to pronounce bangtail (audio)
1
US, dated slang : racehorse
That thoroughbred will leave the other bangtails standing still.The American Girl
2
: a detachable slip attached to the flap or back panel of an envelope
A bangtail is the perforated coupon attached to the body of a return envelope, which must be torn off before the envelope is sealed.The Times-Union (Albany, New York)

Word History

Etymology

bangtail short tail

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bangtail was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near bangtail

Cite this Entry

“Bangtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bangtail. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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