New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
Dovetail — Dove tail , n. (Carp.) A flaring tenon, or tongue (shaped like a bird s tail spread), and a mortise, or socket, into which it fits tightly, making an interlocking joint between two pieces which resists pulling a part in all directions except one … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Dovetail — Dove tail , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dovetailed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dovetailing}.] 1. (Carp.) (a) To cut to a dovetail. (b) To join by means of dovetails. [1913 Webster] 2. To fit in or connect strongly, skillfully, or nicely; to fit ingeniously or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
dovetail — ► NOUN ▪ a joint formed by interlocking tenons and mortises. ► VERB 1) join by means of a dovetail. 2) fit together easily or conveniently … English terms dictionary
dovetail — index correspond (be equivalent) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
dovetail — late 16c. (n.), 1650s (v.), from DOVE (Cf. dove) (n.) + TAIL (Cf. tail). So called from resemblance of shape in the tenon or mortise of the joints to that of the bird s tailfeather display. Related: Dovetailed … Etymology dictionary
dovetail — [v] link, fit together accord, agree, check out, coincide, conform, correspond, go, harmonize, interlock, jibe, join, match, mortise, square, sync*, sync up*, tally, tenon, unite; concepts 113,664 Ant. disconnect, disunite, unlink … New thesaurus
dovetail — [duv′tāl΄] n. 1. a part or thing shaped like a dove s tail; specif., a projecting, wedge shaped part (tenon) that fits into a corresponding cut out space ( mortise) to form an interlocking joint 2. a joint thus formed vt. 1. to join or fasten… … English World dictionary
dovetail — I UK [ˈdʌvˌteɪl] / US verb [intransitive/transitive] Word forms dovetail : present tense I/you/we/they dovetail he/she/it dovetails present participle dovetailing past tense dovetailed past participle dovetailed to fit together, or to work… … English dictionary
dovetail — [[t]dʌ̱vteɪl[/t]] dovetails, dovetailing, dovetailed 1) V RECIP ERG If two things dovetail or if one thing dovetails with another, the two things fit together neatly or have some common characteristics. [pl n V] I m following up a few things that … English dictionary
dovetail — dove|tail1 [ˈdʌvteıl] v 1.) [I and T] to fit together perfectly or to make two plans, ideas etc fit together perfectly dovetail with ▪ My vacation plans dovetail nicely with Joyce s. 2.) [T + together] to join two pieces of wood by means of… … Dictionary of contemporary English
dovetail — 1 verb 1 (I, T) to fit perfectly together or to make two plans, ideas etc fit together perfectly (+ with): My vacation plans dovetail nicely with Joyce s. 2 (transitive + together) to join two pieces of wood by means of dovetail joints 2 also… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
