bobtail

[ bob-teyl ]

noun

1. a short or docked tail. tails.
2. an animal with such a tail. tails.

adjective

1. Also bobtailed. having a bobtail.
2. cut short; docked; cropped.
3. shorter or briefer than usual; abbreviated:

   Several legislative items must be dropped from the current bobtail session of Congress.

verb (used with object)

1. to cut short the tail tails of; dock, often by cutting a muscle in a horse's tail to make it stand erect.

bobtail

/ ˈbɒbˌteɪl /

noun

1. a docked or diminutive tail
2. an animal with such a tail

adjective

1. having the tail cut short

verb

1. to dock the tail of
2. to cut short; curtail

Word History and Origins

Origin of bobtail¹

First recorded in 1535–45; bob ² + tail ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bobtail¹

C16: from bob ² + tail ¹

Example Sentences

The news only reached his lordship yesterday at noon, while at breakfast with his Excellency Lord Bobtail, our ambassador.

From Project Gutenberg

And he laughed as he doffed his bobtail coat, And the echoing folds of the carpet smote.

From Project Gutenberg

He received a reply at Providence, and he read it and felt like a gambler who has drawn a card to fill his bobtail hand.

From Project Gutenberg

There are about twenty American organizations here—big, little, rag-tag, and bobtail.

From Project Gutenberg

Harry'd never go to any of those other big strikes—the Bobtail, or the one in Russell Gulch, or a lot more.

From Project Gutenberg