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shirttail

noun shirt·tail \ ˈshərt-ˌtāl \
|Updated on: 2 Jul 2018

Definition of shirttail

1 : the part of a shirt that reaches below the waist especially in the back
2 : something small or inadequate

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Recent Examples of shirttail from the Web

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

First Known Use of shirttail

1809

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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2

shirttail

adjective

Definition of shirttail

1 : very young : immature
  • shirttail boys fishing in the creek
2 : distantly and indefinitely related
  • a shirttail cousin on her father's side
3 : small, trivial, or short typically to the point of inadequacy
  • has a gullied shirttail ranch in the hills

First Known Use of shirttail

1845

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SHIRTTAIL Defined for English Language Learners

shirttail

noun

Definition of shirttail for English Language Learners

  • : the part of a shirt that hangs below the waist especially in the back

Learn More about shirttail

  1. See words that rhyme with shirttail Nglish: Translation of shirttail for Spanish speakers

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