bobtail

noun bob·tail \ ˈbäb-ˌtāl \

Definition of bobtail

1 a : a bobbed tail

b : a horse, dog, or cat with a bobbed or very short tail; especially : old english sheepdog

2 : something curtailed

—

bobtail

or bobtailed play \-ˌtāld\ adjective

See bobtail defined for kids

Recent Examples of bobtail from the Web

Studies of the squid's giant axon helped spawn modern neuroscience decades ago, and the light organ of the bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) powered a revolution in the study of symbiotic host-microbe interactions.

— danna staaf, Science | AAAS, "How to put an octopus to sleep—and make cephalopod research more humane," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bobtail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bobtail

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1667

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

BOBTAIL Defined for Kids

bobtail

noun bob·tail \ ˈbäb-ˌtāl \

Definition of bobtail for Students

1 : a short tail : a tail cut short

2 : an animal (as a dog) with a short tail

Learn More about bobtail

See words that rhyme with bobtail Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bobtail

Seen and Heard

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