pigtail

American  

[pig-teyl] / ˈpɪgˌteɪl /

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.

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pigtail British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• pigtailed adjective

Etymology

Origin of pigtail

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

Example Sentences

Her blonde hair is fixed in uneven pigtails, her shirt is stained with something maroon, and she’s wearing a tangle of plastic beads around her neck.

From Literature

I yelled, and I crossed my arms and shook my head back and forth with my eyes closed, my pigtails snapping in the air like whips.

From Literature

The younger one, with a deep-brown tone like Jackson and plaited pigtails, grinned half a mouth of teeth and clutched a small furry thing in her hands.

From Literature

“Mind the hair, Cassawoof,” he admonished, for she had grabbed the two pigtails as reins and was yanking them this way and that.

From Literature

Once she was dressed, Penelope braided her hair into two thick pigtails, just the way Cecily used to wear hers.

From Literature

Related Words

• ponytail