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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Recent Examples of dovetail from the Web
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Neither character sees the other, but their dialogue dovetails and alternates, creating an emotional pendulum that swings from cool scientific consideration to the delusional anguish that will lead Villegas to pitch a rock at his beloved.
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The American photographer, whose twin talents for dynamic portraiture and spartan still-lifes dovetail beautifully in his fashion work, is perhaps best known for his six decades of contributions to Vogue.
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That means that the dovetails on either side of a corner form a sort of trapezoid and are connected by a slanted track.
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The growing alarm over piracy dovetails with rapid changes in the region.
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In an extremely odd political dovetail, both the Democratic and the Republican platforms include planks that call for the restoration of the landmark 1933 law.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dovetail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of dovetail
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
Recent Examples of dovetail from the Web
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These Malthusian tendencies also dovetail with the efforts of the environmentalist movement.
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Was there anything in your background that dovetailed with public health?
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Rhodes' comments dovetail with many other reports over the past two years spotlighting how Russia has been honing its social-media propaganda skills.
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Within 24 hours of your interview, be sure to send an email reiterating your interest in the job, your appreciation of the person's time, and how your skills dovetail with the company’s priorities.
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The new track dovetails with the Youth Leadership Program already in place, in which alumni come back to coach those in program.
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The IUD's first heyday dovetailed with the liberated 1960s and 70s.
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The two narratives will dovetail this summer in a way that would’ve been hard to predict.
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Dovetailing nicely with the introduction of discounted Prime was the launch of Amazon Cash earlier this year.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dovetail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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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