mare's-tail

[ mairz-teyl ]

noun

1. a long narrow cirrus cloud whose flowing appearance somewhat resembles a horse's tail.
2. an erect, aquatic, Old World plant, Hippuris vulgaris, having crowded whorls of narrow, hairlike leaves.

mare's-tail

noun

1. a wisp of trailing cirrus cloud, often indicating high winds in the upper troposphere
2. an erect cosmopolitan pond plant, Hippuris vulgaris, with minute flowers and crowded whorls of narrow leaves: family Hippuridaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of mare's-tail¹

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

A coastguard rescue helicopter and a helimed trauma team were also called to Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, near Moffat.

From BBC

The collision took place at about 15:55 on Sunday, on the A708 between Moffat and Selkirk, near the Grey Mare's Tail.

From BBC

Wart gave two terrific kicks and vanished altogether in a clump of mare’s tail several yards away.

From Literature

Just as they were going to swim off on their tour of inspection, a timid young roach appeared from between two waving bottle bushes of mare’s tail and hung about, looking pale with agitation.

From Literature

Mountain rescuers had to abseil down to rescue Sparky at the Grey Mare's Tail Mountain rescuers have saved a dog from a gorge - more than a fortnight after it was reported missing.

From BBC

Related Words

• darkness
• fog
• gloom
• mist
• puff
• smog
• smoke
• steam
• vapor
• veil