fishtail

[ fish-teyl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to swerve or skid from side to side, as the rear end of a car.
2. to slow an airplane by causing its tail to move rapidly from side to side.

noun

1. such a maneuver.
2. a gas burner having two jets crossing each other so as to produce a flame resembling a fish's tail.
3. a device having a long, narrow slot at the top, placed over a gas jet, as of a Bunsen burner, to give a thin, fanlike flame.
4. Jewelry. a setting consisting of four prominent triangular corner prongs to hold the stone.

fishtail

/ ˈfɪʃˌteɪl /

noun

1. an aeroplane manoeuvre in which the tail is moved from side to side to reduce speed
2. a nozzle having a long narrow slot at the top, placed over a Bunsen burner to produce a thin fanlike flame

verb

1. to slow an aeroplane by moving the tail from side to side
2. to drive with the rear of the vehicle moving from side to side in an uncontrolled fashion

Word History and Origins

Origin of fishtail¹

1400–50; late Middle English. See fish, tail ¹

Example Sentences

Small and with a fishtail and fins, he is a goalkeeping genius defying physical laws.

From The Daily Beast

In a vermillion fishtail gown and a bright green headdress almost a foot high, she commands the room—Queen for the day.

From The Daily Beast

Hooyah followed within hailing distance, and they kept the same relative positions until they reached Fishtail Gulch.

From Project Gutenberg

At times, too, he was active with his Grenatenwerfer, known to the troops as the Pineapples or Fishtail.

From Project Gutenberg

It is necessary in this case to split it and join the two pieces with a fishtail splice in the handle.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet either the batwing or the fishtail tip can be used in any common burner except the argand.

From Project Gutenberg

Uncle John appeared unwilling to abandon the fishtail wenches, and countered with classical texts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fluctuate
• lurch
• seesaw
• teeter
• vacillate
• waver
• wobble