pigtail

[ pig-teyl ]

noun

1. a braid of hair hanging down the back of the head.
2. pigtails, two bunches of hair gathered and fastened on either side of the head, in braids or hanging freely.
3. tobacco in a thin, twisted roll.
4. Electricity.
   1. a short, flexible wire used in connecting a stationary terminal with a terminal having a limited range of motion.
   2. a short wire connected to an electric device, as a lead or ground.

pigtail

/ ˈpɪɡˌteɪl /

noun

1. a bunch of hair or one of two bunches on either side of the face, worn loose or plaited
2. a twisted roll of tobacco

Derived Forms

• ˈpigˌtailed, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigtail¹

First recorded in 1680–90; pig ¹ + tail ¹

Example Sentences

Abramovic was wearing a floor-length navy blue robe, a pigtail over her right shoulder.

From The Daily Beast

The moolahs were Chinese191 in feature and costume, and wore the Mongolian queue or pigtail.

From Project Gutenberg

Martha had twisted her pale brown pigtail tightly round her neck, and was calling with little indistinct noises to her sister.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hittites wore their hair in three plaits, which fell over the back like the pigtail of a Chinaman.

From Project Gutenberg

Some have the pigtail wound round the head, forming a singular crown, the diadem of the wilderness.

From Project Gutenberg

The hint arrested Shen Heng's fingers in the act of tearing out a handful of his beautiful pigtail.

From Project Gutenberg