Definition of dovetail
: something resembling a dove's tail; especially : a flaring tenon and a mortise into which it fits tightly making an interlocking joint between two pieces (as of wood)
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Illustration of dovetail
1573
First Known Use of dovetail
1573
dovetail
Definition of dovetail
transitive verb
1a : to join by means of dovetailsb : to cut to a dovetail
2a : to fit skillfully to form a wholeb : to fit together with
intransitive verb
: to fit together into a whole
Examples of dovetail in a Sentence
the Union and the Confederate accounts of the battle don't dovetail at all
Circa 1656
First Known Use of dovetail
circa 1656
DOVETAIL Defined for English Language Learners
dovetail
playDefinition of dovetail for English Language Learners
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: a type of joint that is used to connect two pieces of wood together
dovetail
Definition of dovetail for English Language Learners
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: to join (two pieces of wood) with dovetail joints
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: to fit together in a pleasing or satisfying way
Learn More about dovetail
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See words that rhyme with dovetail Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dovetail Spanish Central: Translation of dovetail Nglish: Translation of dovetail for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dovetail for Arabic speakers
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