dragon's tail

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. (formerly) the descending node of the moon or a planet.

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Etymology

Origin of dragon's tail

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Jack shook his head again, and this time dropped out of sight of the window, coming to a stop about halfway down the dragon’s tail.

From Literature

At the very back of the castle, the dragon’s tail stuck straight into the air, with the end of the tail forming yet another tower, this one with a lit window at its peak.

From Literature

Scientists call it “tickling the dragon’s tail,” Custer said, because the experiment approaches but stays below the stage at which the fission of nuclear materials sustains an ongoing series of chain reactions.

From Washington Times

Since then, the comet has been creeping along the dragon’s tail.

From New York Times

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The last of the atmospheric river is passing through, with one more storm scheduled for this evening, and there goes a dragon’s tail of thrashing green-white onrushing waves, a king tide swollen by roaring rain and splintered timber from the sinky old piers.

From Washington Post