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

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

The warnings dovetail with the latest seasonal outlook issued by the National Interagency Fire Center, or NIFC, which forecast increased wildfire activity in Southern California in September due to the combination of weather and vegetation.

From Los Angeles Times

It also dovetails with an aggressive anti-intellectualism: One would no more expect a Republican politician to speak a foreign language than to play the cello.

From Salon

Related Words

• coincide
• conform
• correspond
• harmonize
• jibe