ringtail

[ ring-teyl ]

noun
  1. any phalanger of the genus Pseudocheirus, having the prehensile tail curled into a ring.

  1. Also called ringsail. Nautical. a narrow studdingsail set abaft a gaff sail, especially a spanker, upon spears extending beyond the gaff and boom.

adjective

Origin of ringtail

1
First recorded in 1530–40; ring1 + tail1

Words Nearby ringtail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ringtail in a sentence

  • Stealthily though ringtail advanced, sharp eyes noted his approach.

  • In the shallows where it had spread over its low banks, ringtail found an abundance of food and fed daintily.

  • The next night found ringtail entirely recovered from his adventure and once more abroad.

  • ringtail was free to continue his way homeward, limping slightly but proud of his victory.

  • A few nights later ringtail met with a strange adventure, one which left him thoroughly puzzled.

British Dictionary definitions for ringtail

ringtail

/ (ˈrɪŋˌteɪl) /


noun
  1. Also called: ring-tailed cat another name for cacomistle

  2. Also called: ringtail possum Australian any of several possums having curling prehensile tails used to grasp branches while climbing

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