dovetail

[ duhv-teyl ]
/ ˈdʌvˌteɪl /

noun Carpentry.

a tenon broader at its end than at its base; pin.
a joint formed of one or more such tenons fitting tightly within corresponding mortises.

verb (used with or without object)

Carpentry. to join or fit together by means of a dovetail or dovetails.
to join or fit together compactly or harmoniously.

Origin of dovetail

First recorded in 1555–65; so named from its shape

OTHER WORDS FROM dovetail

dove·tail·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for dovetail

British Dictionary definitions for dovetail

dovetail
/ (ˈdʌvˌteɪl) /

noun

a wedge-shaped tenon
Also called: dovetail joint a joint containing such tenons

verb

(tr) to join by means of dovetails
to fit or cause to fit together closely or neatly he dovetailed his arguments to the desired conclusion