dovetail

American  

[duhv-teyl] / ˈdʌvˌteɪl /

noun

Carpentry.

1. a tenon broader at its end than at its base; pin.

2. a joint formed of one or more such tenons fitting tightly within corresponding mortises.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. Carpentry. to join or fit together by means of a dovetail or dovetails.

2. to join or fit together compactly or harmoniously.

dovetail British  

/ ˈdʌvˌteɪl /

noun

1. a wedge-shaped tenon

2. Also called: dovetail joint.  a joint containing such tenons

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verb

1. (tr) to join by means of dovetails

2. to fit or cause to fit together closely or neatly

   he dovetailed his arguments to the desired conclusion

Other Word Forms

• dovetailer noun

Etymology

Origin of dovetail

First recorded in 1555–65; so named from its shape

Example Sentences

That dovetails with his previous work that found picking stocks based on low valuations doesn’t work, as cheap stocks are often cheap for a reason.

From Barron's

His lack of confidence in central banks, as well as the dollar’s role in the global economy, dovetails with a Wall Street strategy known as the debasement trade.

From The Wall Street Journal

“This concentration of ads into one area of a newspaper dovetails with the same moment when workers could no longer rely solely on their connections to get a job,” says Gershon.

From The Wall Street Journal

For Hudson, the opportunity also dovetailed with a new act in her own life as a recording artist.

From Los Angeles Times

These thoughts dovetail sharply with Gibson grappling with their hair loss and other side effects from chemotherapy.

From Salon

Related Words

• coincide
• conform
• correspond
• harmonize
• jibe