dovetail

Word parts

dove + tail

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈdʌvteɪl/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈdʌvˌteɪl/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: dove‧tail

Noun

Singular dovetail

Plural dovetails

A dovetail joint

1. (countable) (woodworking) A dovetail joint is a type of joint where building materials beside each other are fastened by multiple tenons cut into wedge shapes that looks like a dove's tail.

Verb

Plain form dovetail

Third-person singular dovetails

Past tense dovetailed

Past participle dovetailed

Present participle dovetailing

1. (transitive) (woodworking) If you dovetail two things together, you link them together with a dovetail joint.