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dovetail saw

American  

noun

  1. a backsaw for fine woodworking, as dovetailing.


dovetail saw British  

noun

  1. building trades a saw similar to a tenon saw but of smaller size

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dovetail saw

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then, with Tenon or Dovetail Saw, cut off just outside the line.

From Project Gutenberg

The side is held in position on the end, and the dovetail saw is inserted and drawn out of the saw kerf, thus leaving the exact mark on the drawer-back.

From Project Gutenberg

The small channel thus made will form a guide in which to start your tenon or dovetail saw; it prevents the saw cutting on the wrong side of the marked line and thus making the halving too wide.

From Project Gutenberg

Failure to observe this condition will result in faulty dovetailing, and it will also prove the necessity for using a finely-toothed and thin-bladed dovetail saw.

From Project Gutenberg

With a fine tenon or dovetail saw, cut the saw kerf as at Fig.

From Project Gutenberg