2 entries under this word

Dovetail

Dôve'tail, n.

noun

n. (Carp.) The manner of fastening boards or timbers together, by letting one piece, in the form of a dove's tail spread, or wedge reversed, into a corresponding cavity in another, so that it can not be drawn out.

Dovetails.

Four diagrams show different forms of dovetail joints. — Dovetails.

Dôve'tâil, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DOVETAILED; p. pr. & vb. n. DOVETAILING.]

To unite by a tenon in form of a pigeon’s tail spread, let into a board or timber.
To fit or connect strongly or skillfully; to fit ingeniously.

He put together a piece of work so crossly indented and whimsically dovetailed . . . that it was indeed a very curious show. Burke.