fantail

[ fan-teyl ]

/ ˈfænˌteɪl /

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noun

a tail, end, or part shaped like a fan.

one of a breed of domestic pigeons, having a fan-shaped tail.

any of various small birds having fanlike tails, as the Old World flycatchers of the genus Rhipidura and the American wood warblers of the genus Euthlypis.

fantail goldfish.

Building Trades, Architecture. a structure or structural member having a number of radiating parts, as an arch centering.

Nautical.

the part of a rounded stern extending abaft the aftermost perpendicular; rounded counter.
the area within this.

Western U.S. a mustang.

adjective

Cooking. (of shrimp) shelled, split almost through, and flattened slightly before cooking.

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Origin of fantail

First recorded in 1720–30; fan¹ + tail¹

OTHER WORDS FROM fantail

fan-tailed, adjective

Words nearby fantail

fan palm, fan roof, fan service, fansub, fantabulous, fantail, fantail darter, fantail goldfish, fan-tan, fantasia, fantasied

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fantail in a sentence

It is highly regulated, the pilots are first rate, and we often did a BBQ for the crew on the fantail, with the spectacular views of the lush and beautiful jungles of Panama passing on either side.
The Blocked Suez Canal Isn't the Only Waterway the World Should Be Worried About|James Stavridis|March 29, 2021|Time
Towards the end of the month the white-browed fantail flycatchers (Rhipidura albifrontata) begin to nest.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar
In the breeding season the cock sings a sweet little lay—an abridged version of that of the fantail flycatcher.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar
Many of the wire-tailed swallows, minivets and white-browed fantail flycatchers bring up a second brood during the rains.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar

The fantail or full-snipe (G. coelestis) is at least one week later in arriving.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar
To balance the large tail carried in this position the Fantail has to carry its head very far back.
Our Domestic Birds|John H. Robinson

British Dictionary definitions for fantail

fantail

/ (ˈfænˌteɪl) /

noun

a breed of domestic pigeon having a large tail that can be opened like a fan

any Old World flycatcher of the genus Rhipidura, of Australia, New Zealand, and SE Asia, having a broad fan-shaped tail

a tail shaped like an outspread fan

architect a part or structure having a number of components radiating from a common centre

a burner that ejects fuel to produce a wide flat flame in a lamp or furnace

a flat jet of air and coal dust projected into the air stream of a pulverized-coal furnace

an auxiliary sail on the upper portion of a windmill that turns the mill to face the wind

US a curved part of the deck projecting aft of the sternpost of a ship

Derived forms of fantail

fan-tailed, adjective

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