dovetail

[ duhv-teyl ]

noun

, Carpentry.

1. a tenon broader at its end than at its base; pin.
2. a joint formed of one or more such tenons fitting tightly within corresponding mortises.

verb (used with or without object)

1. Carpentry. to join or fit together by means of a dovetail or dovetails.
2. to join or fit together compactly or harmoniously.

dovetail

/ ˈdʌvˌteɪl /

noun

1. a wedge-shaped tenon
2. Also calleddovetail joint a joint containing such tenons

verb

1. tr to join by means of dovetails
2. to fit or cause to fit together closely or neatly

   he dovetailed his arguments to the desired conclusion

Other Words From

• dovetailer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dovetail¹

First recorded in 1555–65; so named from its shape

Example Sentences

That’s partly because of fears that any questioning of vaccines will lead the public to abandon them; it’s also because such views do sometimes dovetail with unscientific ones.

From Science Magazine

Trump soon followed their lead since it dovetailed with his own political needs to get out on the campaign trail.

From Salon

When this familiarity dovetailed with a catfishing scheme, Tegan and many fans became ensnared in a sophisticated identity theft operation that lasted over 15 years.

From New York Times

These factors dovetailed with historic immigration highs, said Mike Madrid, a strategist who co-founded the Lincoln Project, a Republican anti-Trump political action committee.

From Los Angeles Times

The false information dovetailed with election propaganda benefiting the Trump campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coincide
• conform
• correspond
• harmonize
• jibe