tailing

[ tey-ling ]

noun

1. the part of a projecting stone or brick tailed or inserted in a wall.
2. tailings,
   1. Building Trades. gravel, aggregate, etc., failing to pass through a given screen.
   2. the residue of any product, as in mining; leavings.

tailing

/ ˈteɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. the part of a beam, rafter, projecting brick or stone, etc, embedded in a wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of tailing¹

First recorded in 1640–50; tail ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In the first three games of Bellamy’s reign, a trend has developed of Wales starting fast before tailing off.

From BBC

At much higher concentrations, which may be relevant for testing environmental contamination such as mine tailings, the accuracy is within 4 percent.

From Science Daily

“As soon as we get there, we can take turns tailing her.”

From Literature

Rare earth metals are extracted by digging enormous pits and dissolving rocks in caustic acids, sometimes leaving behind toxic and radioactive tailings.

From New York Times

According to the lawsuit filed this week, the deputy abandoned the roadside confrontation, hopped in his cruiser and started tailing Brock.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• intelligence