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dovetail

dove·tail

dovetail

pronunciation:: duhv teIl
parts of speech:: noun, transitive verb & intransitive verb

part of speech:	noun
definition 1:	something resembling a dove's tail in shape, esp. a wedge-shaped part, or tenon, that protrudes from one piece of wood and fits snugly into a wedge-shaped opening, or mortise, in another piece of wood, forming a joint. similar words: joint, mortise
definition 2:	a joint formed by one or more such interlocking tenons and mortises. similar words: interlock, intersection, joint, mortise, tenon

part of speech:	transitive verb & intransitive verb
inflections:	dovetails, dovetailing, dovetailed
definition 1:	to cut or shape into a dovetail. similar words: form, lap, mortise, shape, tenon
definition 2:	to fit together by means of a dovetail or dovetails. similar words: fit, interlock, join, lap, mesh, mortise, splice, tenon, unite
definition 3:	to fit together precisely or harmoniously. Your plan to provide part-time work to city youth dovetails nicely with our efforts to beautify the city parks this summer. synonyms: harmonize, mesh, sync antonyms: clash similar words: click, coincide, correspond, fit, intersect, jibe, match, tally
related words:	accord, agree, coincide, comport
derivation:	dovetailer (n.)

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