beavertail

noun

bea·​ver·​tail ˈbē-vər-ˌtāl How to pronounce beavertail (audio)
: a low-growing prickly pear cactus (Opuntia basilaris) of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico having large usually pink or red flowers

Examples of beavertail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The broad, beavertail-like safety is less ergonomic than that on other rifles here, but is still functional. John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2020 The pistol also features an extended beavertail grip safety, black rubber grip panels and an oversized magazine release, making operation with gloved hands or slippery conditions manageable. Chris Mudgett, Outdoor Life, 23 June 2020 Frankie saw two children looking at a cluster of beavertails and warned them. Danielle Pergament, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2020 The gun is purpose-built for competition, featuring a deep beavertail grip tang, undercut trigger guard, raised 25-LPI checkering, and an integral magwell. Richard Mann, Field & Stream, 22 Jan. 2019 The 783 Varmint features a 26-inch heavy barrel with a black oxide finish, laminated stock with a beavertail forend, an oversized bolt handle, and a Picatinny rail. Richard Mann, Field & Stream, 23 Jan. 2019 The Type B strikes all the high notes, i.e. low bore-axis, light flat faced trigger, wrap around slide serrations and an extended beavertail. John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 2 Jan. 2020 That fact that these pastries also may be known as beavertails, shoesoles or flying saucers is what makes this crazy world of baking such fun. Kim Ode, sacbee.com, 2 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beavertail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beavertail was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near beavertail

Cite this Entry

“Beavertail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beavertail. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!