tail

Definition

• n. the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
• n. any projection that resembles the tail of an animal
• n. a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements
• n. (usually plural) the reverse side of a coin that does not bear the representation of a person's head

Word forms

Past tense

tailed

Present participle

tailing

Past participle

tailed

Third person singular

tails

Example sentences

1. n.

   The dog wagged its tail happily when it saw me.

2. a.

   The tail section of the airplane is where the emergency exits are located.

3. vt.

   The detective decided to tail the suspect to gather more evidence.

4. vi.

   The boat began to tail off as it approached the shallow waters.