pigtail

[ pig-teyl ]

/ ˈpɪgˌteɪl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pigtail ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a braid of hair hanging down the back of the head.

tobacco in a thin, twisted roll.

Electricity.

a short, flexible wire used in connecting a stationary terminal with a terminal having a limited range of motion.
a short wire connected to an electric device, as a lead or ground.

Nearby words

pigstick, pigsticker, pigsticking, pigsty, pigswill, pigtail, pigtail hook, pigweed, pihoihoi, pik, pik pobedy

Origin of pigtail

First recorded in 1680–90; pig¹ + tail¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pigtail

Abramovic was wearing a floor-length navy blue robe, a pigtail over her right shoulder.
Marina Abramovic's Full-Frontal Art|Anthony Haden-Guest|March 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The very weight of the pigtail is a sobering influence; its solemn, pendulum movement is incompatible with revolt.
Tom and Some Other Girls|Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
I realized that my position, difficult before, now was become impossible; the possession of the pigtail compromised me hopelessly.
Tales of Chinatown|Sax Rohmer
As for my father, he was the picture of misery,—he had no consolation except turning his quid and tying his pigtail.
Poor Jack|Frederick Marryat

His pigtail came unfastened and began to uncoil, slowly, like a snake.
The Devil Doctor|Sax Rohmer
One of his grievances was that he had to exchange his stylish Paris suit for a stiff uniform and pigtail.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pigtail

pigtail

/ (ˈpɪɡˌteɪl) /

noun

a bunch of hair or one of two bunches on either side of the face, worn loose or plaited

a twisted roll of tobacco

Derived Forms

pigtailed, 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