noun

1. 1. the rear end of an animal's body, esp. when forming a distinct, flexible appendage to the trunk
   2. such an appendage
2. anything like an animal's tail in form or position the tail of a shirt
3. a luminous train behind a comet or meteor
4. the hind, bottom, last, or inferior part of anything
5. the reverse side of a coin
6. a long braid or tress of hair
7. a train of followers or attendants; retinue
8. the lower end of a pool or stream
9. 1. the rear or back section of an aircraft
   2. a set of stabilizing planes at the rear of an airplane
   3. the rear part of a rocket or missile
10. ☆
    1. tailcoat
    2. full-dress attire for men
11. Informal a person or vehicle that follows another, esp. in surveillance
12. Slang the buttocks
13. Slang, Vulgar
    1. sexual intercourse with a woman
    2. a woman regarded as a sexual partner
14. Printing the bottom of a page
15. Prosody the short line or lines ending certain stanzas or verse forms

Etymology: ME < OE tægel, akin to OHG zagel < IE base *de-, to tear, tear off > Sans saśā, fringe

adjective

1. at the rear or rear end
2. from the rear a tail wind

transitive verb

1. to provide with a tail
2. to cut or detach the tail or taillike part from
3. to form the tail or end of, as of a group or procession; be at the rear or end of
4. to fasten or connect at or by the tail
5. to fasten one end of (a brick, board, etc.) into a wall, etc.: with in or on
6. ☆ Slang to follow stealthily; shadow

intransitive verb

1. to straggle
2. to become gradually smaller or fainter: with off or away
3. to be fastened into a wall, etc. by one end: said of a brick or board
4. ☆ Informal to follow close behind
5. Naut. to go aground or be anchored stern foremost