dovetail Hear it!

dovetail Definition

dove·tail (duv′tāl′)

noun

  1. a part or thing shaped like a dove's tail; specif., a projecting, wedge-shaped part (tenon) that fits into a corresponding cut-out space (mortise) to form an interlocking joint
  2. a joint thus formed

transitive verb

  1. to join or fasten together by means of dovetails
  2. to piece together (facts, etc.) so as to make a logically connected whole

intransitive verb

to fit together closely or logically

dovetail Synonyms

dovetail

v.

link, interlock, fit together; see fit 1, join 1.

dovetail Usage Examples

Object

  • joint: All are made from solid pine and have tongue and groove back panels, dovetailed joints and solid bases for all the drawers.
  • work: On Friday I hope to demonstrate marking out techniques and some sawing and dovetailing work, this involves several methods of accurate chisel use.
  • drawer: Products range from bed sub assemblies through to crates and pallets and on through to solid headboards and dovetailed drawers.
  • service: For a real rail service we need increased capacity and dovetailed bus services such as a subsidized stations shuttle over the Long Bridge.
  • plan: She could then dovetail any income protection plan into her workplace arrangements.

Preposition: with

  • operation: There is no reason in principle why increased use of environmental appraisals should not dovetail with the operation of environment planning systems.
  • work: On a Journey The consultative process of the ministry research group completed in 2002 was dovetailed with parallel work undertaken by the Renewal Team.
  • plan: Both the CBE unit and ETV unit have their own management plans designed to dovetail with the overall plan.
  • agenda: Of course, Galloway's medievalism perfectly dovetailed with the social agenda of MAB.
  • goal: This aspect of short-term information operations will also dovetail quite nicely with longer-term goals in the region.
  • requirement: Each visit is planned to dovetail with individual requirements.

Modifies a noun

  • joint: A third year class first off, started making dovetail joints for a box.
  • slide: A dovetail slide with a generic opening is available for users who wish to develop custom chambers.
  • base: The moulded-in dovetail base accepts the optional Orion finder scope of your choice.

Modifying Another Word

  • nicely: Our cheeky attitude seems to dovetail nicely with yours.
  • perfectly: This uses Bach's own composition, which dovetails perfectly into the two final chords of the original.
  • effectively: Stevens and Stamp were dovetailing effectively with only a second goal missing from their partnership.
  • together: The steel planes were dovetailed together side plates to sole by what appears to be the impossible joint, being splayed both ways.
  • also: The daily Plymouth Bristol operation will also dovetail into the new Leeds route.