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tailfirst

American  
[teyl-furst] / ˈteɪlˈfɜrst /

adverb

  1. with the tail or rear part foremost.


Etymology

Origin of tailfirst

First recorded in 1885–90; tail 1 + first

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.

With their swept-back wings, forward-mounted canards, or stabilizers, and pusher propellers, they look a little as if they should be moving through the air tailfirst.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was the first time a spacecraft had ever come back to earth tailfirst, although similar landings have been made on Mars and the moon.

From Time Magazine Archive

Behind him, Vidac and Governor Hardy watched the surface of Roald as the Polaris began to turn for her tailfirst landing.

From The Space Pioneers by Glanzman, Louis

The sleek ship began to settle tailfirst toward its destination—Space Academy, U.S.A.

From The Revolt on Venus by Glanzman, Louis

There was no doubt he had uncovered the nose cone of the missile which had re-entered the earth's atmosphere tailfirst!

From Tom Swift and the Electronic Hydrolung by Brey, Charles

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