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, nounWords nearby dovetail
dovecote,
dovekie,
doven,
dover,
dover's powder,
dovetail,
dovetail hinge,
dovetail plane,
dovetail saw,
dovetailed,
dovzhenko
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