dovetail
Americannoun
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a tenon broader at its end than at its base; pin.
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a joint formed of one or more such tenons fitting tightly within corresponding mortises.
verb (used with or without object)
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Carpentry. to join or fit together by means of a dovetail or dovetails.
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to join or fit together compactly or harmoniously.
noun
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a wedge-shaped tenon
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Also called: dovetail joint. a joint containing such tenons
verb
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(tr) to join by means of dovetails
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to fit or cause to fit together closely or neatly
he dovetailed his arguments to the desired conclusion
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dovetail
First recorded in 1555–65; so named from its shape
Explanation
A dovetail is a joint in woodworking where two sides are fitted together with interlocking pieces. You can also use the word dovetail to show how other things fit well together — like how your picnic plans nicely dovetail with the sunny forecast. A well-made dovetail is a beautiful thing, with wooden projections that slide into notches perfectly, the two sides forming a corner. When things fit this way, you can say they dovetail — they fit easily and work well together. Your plan to dress up as a Jedi knight dovetails well with your brother's Darth Vader costume, for example. Dovetails got their name from the tail feather-like shape of the joint's pieces.
Vocabulary lists containing dovetail
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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.
There is now only one shop on the estate, next door to The Dovetail, the centre of community engagement.
From BBC • Jul. 8, 2022
There is a community drop-in called The Dovetail, inside which is a model of the plans for the estate.
From BBC • Jul. 8, 2022
The marquee-worthy John Fraser, of the Loyal and formerly of Dovetail, will bring his stylish sensibility to several as-yet-unnamed restaurants in the new the Times Square Edition hotel.
From New York Times • Aug. 27, 2018
And now, the allover concrete floors are tinted that precise Longbranch-beach-rock shade of red, which took Dovetail General Contractors four or five pours to match.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2017
Dovetail the partitions by cutting a slit one inch deep in the center of each and slipping one over the other.
From Construction Work for Rural and Elementary Schools by McGaw, Virginia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
