taillight

[ teyl-lahyt ]

/ ˈteɪlˌlaɪt /

a light, usually red, at the rear of an automobile, train, etc.

Also called tail lamp.

Origin of taillight

First recorded in 1835–45; tail¹ + light¹

Until the tail-light of the train glimmered into obscurity around the curve, Remsen stood uncovered in the gale.

Wanted: A Husband |Samuel Hopkins Adams
Galusha Bangs watched its tail-light soar and dwindle until it disappeared over the crest.

Galusha the Magnificent |Joseph C. Lincoln
We gained the gravelled footpath only to see the tail-light of the car dwindling to the north!

The Devil Doctor |Sax Rohmer
Then, that having consented and the flag being lowered, a fellow-driver asked our man to help him with his tail-light.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 152, January 3, 1917 |Various

Not once in all that time did they catch sight of that tail-light.

Curlie Carson Listens In |Roy J. Snell