Main Entry: ¹tail

Pronunciation: \ˈtāl\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

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 <tails, 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 \ˈtāld\ adjective

— tail·less \ˈtāl-ləs\ adjective

— tail·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective