Dovetail

//ˈdʌvteɪl// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The tail of a dove (family Columbidae); also, something having the shape of a dove's tail.

    "Beſides this, another fine Starfiſh came to my Hands, […] Its body hath ten corners, and it hath a Star above vvith as many Rays; each of theſe one may compare unto a Sail of the VVindmills that the Children run againſt the VVind vvithal, or to a piece of ſuch Croſſes that are broad before, and narrovv vvhere they meet together; that is to ſay, of the ſhape of a Dove-tail: […]"

  2. 2
    a mortise joint formed by interlocking tenons and mortises wordnet
  3. 3
    In full dovetail joint: a type of joint where adjoining components are fastened by multiple tenons cut into wedge shapes resembling a dove's tail, which interlock with mortises having corresponding shapes. attributive, often

    "[T]heſe muſt be joined at Bottom to the Piles by a ſtrong Dove-tail, and the Piles joined vvith Braces; […]"

  4. 4
    A tenon cut into a wedge shape resembling a dove's tail so that it interlocks with a mortise having a corresponding shape in a dovetail joint. attributive, often
  5. 5
    A line resembling a dovetail joint (sense 2.1).

    "I ſhall add other tvvo Forms of Lines, […] The firſt of theſe tvvo is termed Patee, or Dove-Tail, from a Form of Art uſed by Joiners, vvho make Joints one into the other by that Name: […]"

Verb
  1. 1
    To unite (components) with a dovetail (noun sense 2.1) or similar joint. transitive

    "[T]heſe Piles ought to be placed contrary to the Stillings, vvhich ſurround or croſs them every three Feet, and Dove-tail'd into the ſquare Supporters; […]"

  2. 2
    fit together tightly, as if by means of a dovetail wordnet
  3. 3
    To combine or fit (things) together well. figuratively, transitive

    "The executive board dovetailed its decision neatly with the prior projects the company had taken up."

  4. 4
    To interweave (a number of algorithms or subprograms) so that they can be run more or less simultaneously. figuratively, transitive

    "However, we can construct a single master algorithm M that DPExact learns from unknown distribution D by simply dovetailing the algorithms A. The precise way in which we dovetail the algorithms depends on whether our goal is time or query efficiency."

  5. 5
    To seamlessly move a melody from one instrument to another. figuratively, transitive
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  1. 6
    Of several things: to combine or fit together well. figuratively, intransitive

    "The parts of your essay should dovetail so that it is cohesive and coherent."

  2. 7
    To adapt to something; to fit in. intransitive

    "If I have a row with any fellow, he’s always the first to taunt me with being what he and his friends have made me. I don’t feel it so much now. I used to at first. One dovetails into all that sort of thing in time, and the edge of your feelings, as I may say, wears off by degrees."

Etymology

Etymology 1

The noun is derived from dove + tail. The verb is derived from the noun.

Etymology 2

The noun is derived from dove + tail. The verb is derived from the noun.

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