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dovetail

dove·tail

dovetail

 
 
pronunciation:
duhv teIl
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb & intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb)
part of speech: noun
definition 1: something resembling a dove's tail in shape, esp. a wedge-shaped part, or tenon, that protrudes from one piece of wood and fits snugly into a wedge-shaped opening, or mortise, in another piece of wood, forming a joint.
similar words:
joint, mortise
definition 2: a joint formed by one or more such interlocking tenons and mortises.
similar words:
interlock, intersection, joint, mortise, tenon
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part of speech: transitive verb & intransitive verb
inflections: dovetails, dovetailing, dovetailed
definition 1: to cut or shape into a dovetail.
similar words:
form, lap, mortise, shape, tenon
definition 2: to fit together by means of a dovetail or dovetails.
similar words:
fit, interlock, join, lap, mesh, mortise, splice, tenon, unite
definition 3: to fit together precisely or harmoniously.
Your plan to provide part-time work to city youth dovetails nicely with our efforts to beautify the city parks this summer.
synonyms:
harmonize, mesh, sync
antonyms:
clash
similar words:
click, coincide, correspond, fit, intersect, jibe, match, tally
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derivation: dovetailer (n.)