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

Mager: I think the idea kind of dovetails in with the theme of the movie, which is these kids are looking for answers.

From Los Angeles Times

And when these apparitions vanish, the text’s overriding theme—of life’s evanescence but also its beauty—does finally dovetail with the ghostly images created by the technology.

From The Wall Street Journal

The deals also dovetail with China's investments in infrastructure in the region.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• coincide
• conform
• correspond
• harmonize
• jibe