<p><strong>noun</strong></p><ul><li>the hindmost part of an animal, especially that forming a distinct, flexible appendage to the back end of its body.</li><li>something resembling or suggesting this in shape or position: the tail of a kite.</li><li>Astronomy: the luminous stream extending from the head of a comet.</li><li>the reverse of a coin (head).</li><li>Aeronautics: the after portion of an airplane or the like.</li><li>tails, tailcoat.</li><li>the tapering skirts or ends at the back of a coat, especially a tailcoat.</li><li>men's full-dress attire.</li><li>Distilling: alcohol obtained in the final distillation.</li><li>Compare head (def 22).</li><li>Slang: the buttocks or rump.</li><li>Informal: a person who trails or keeps a close surveillance of another, as a detective or spy: The police decided to put a tail on the suspect.</li><li>Informal: the area directly behind a person in motion; the wake or trail of a person: The car behind me was riding my tail far too closely.</li><li>Slang: Vulgar. sexual intercourse.</li><li>Usually Disparaging and Offensive: a woman considered as a sex object.</li><li>the hinder, bottom, or end part of anything; the rear.</li><li>a final or concluding part of a sentence, conversation, social gathering, etc.; conclusion; end: The tail of the speech was boring.</li><li>Toward the tail of the concert, I'd begun to get tired.</li><li>the inferior or unwanted part of anything.</li><li>a long braid or tress of hair.</li><li>an arrangement of objects or persons extending as or as if a tail.</li><li>a line of persons awaiting their turns at something; queue.</li><li>a retinue; train.</li><li>the lower part of a pool or stream.</li><li>the exposed portion of a piece of roofing, as a slate.</li><li>Printing, Bookbinding: the bottom of a page or book.</li><li>Printing: the lower portion of a type, as of g, y, or Q.</li></ul><p><strong>adjective</strong></p><ul><li>coming from behind: a tail breeze.</li><li>being in the back or rear: the tail section of a plane.</li></ul><p><strong>verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) Informal: to follow in order to hinder escape of or to observe: to tail a suspect.</li><li>to form or furnish with a tail.</li><li>to form or constitute the tail or end of (a procession, retinue, etc.).</li><li>to terminate; come after or behind; follow like a tail.</li><li>to join or attach (one thing) at the tail or end of another.</li><li>Building Trades: to fasten (a beam, stone, etc.) by one end (usually followed by in or into).</li><li>to dock the tail of (a horse, dog, etc.).</li><li>(used without object) to follow close behind: She always tails after her sister.</li><li>to disappear gradually or merge into: The path tails off into the woods.</li><li>to form, or move or pass in, a line or column suggestive of a tail: The hikers tailed up the narrow path.</li><li>(of a boat) to have or take a position with the stern in a particular direction.</li><li>Building Trades: (of a beam, stone, etc.) to be fastened by one end (usually followed by in or into).</li></ul>