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tail

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Acronyms, Idioms, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.

tail

Extension of the vertebral column beyond the trunk, or any slender projection resembling such a structure. In fishes and other animals living completely or partly in water, it is very important to movement through water. Many tree-dwelling animals (e.g., squirrels) use the tail for balance and as a rudder when leaping; in some (e.g., certain monkeys), it is adapted for grasping. Birds' tail feathers aid in flight maneuverability. Other animals use their tails for defense (e.g., porcupines), social signals (e.g., dogs and cats), warning signals (e.g., deer and rattlesnakes), and hunting (e.g., alligators).



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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Now you're angry, but--never mind, Brother, thy tail hangs down behind!
AN American Statesman who had twisted the tail of the British Lion until his arms ached was at last rewarded by a sharp, rasping sound.
So he shot his arrow at the fox; but he missed it, and it set up its tail above its back and ran into the wood.
 
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