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tail
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- pronunciation:
- teIl
- parts of speech:
- noun, adjective, transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Homophone Note, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
an animal's rearmost part, usu. an appendage and extension of the spinal column, that projects from the rear of the trunk.
- similar words:
- appendage, tag
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| definition 2: |
something that resembles this appendage in position or form, such as a kite's tail, the luminous trail of a comet, or a fall of hair such as a ponytail.
- similar words:
- tag
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| definition 3: |
the rearmost part of an airplane, rocket, wagon, or the like, or the specialized structures attached there.
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| definition 4: |
the rear, bottom, or end portion of anything.
the tail of a shirt- similar words:
- tag
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| definition 5: |
(pl.) the reverse side of a coin. (Cf. head.)
- antonyms:
- head
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| definition 6: |
(informal) an agent assigned to follow someone secretly.
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| related words: |
appendage, appendix, buttock, member |
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| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
being in the rear.
the tail enda tail seat on a plane |
| definition 2: |
coming from the rear; from behind.
The tail wind forced us off course. |
| related words: |
back, rear |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
tails, tailing, tailed |
| definition 1: |
to provide with a tail.
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| definition 2: |
to follow at the end of.
A large float tailed the parade. |
| definition 3: |
(informal) to follow secretly in order to observe.
The policeman tailed the suspect. |
| related words: |
chase, follow, pursue, stalk, trace, track, trail |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to recede or diminish gradually (often fol. by "off" or "away").
The storm tailed off into a gentle shower. |
| definition 2: |
(informal) to follow someone closely.
- similar words:
- tag
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| related words: |
follow, pursue |
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| derivations: |
tailless (adj.), taillike (adj.) |
Are you looking for the word tale (a story)? Tail and tale sound alike but have different meanings.
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