dovetail /ˈdʌvteɪl/verb 6noun 4forms 3 verb6 •To unite (components) with a dovetail or similar joint.[T]hese Piles ought to be placed contrary to the Stillings, vvhich surround or cross them every three Feet, and Dove-tail'd into the square Supporters; […] — 1733 •(figurative) To combine or fit (things) together well.The executive board dovetailed its decision neatly with the prior projects the company had taken up.Through my new project, I dovetail my interests in botany and programming. •(figurative) To interweave (a number of algorithms or subprograms) so that they can be run more or less simultaneously. •(figurative) Of several things: to combine or fit together well.The parts of your essay should dovetail so that it is cohesive and coherent. •To adapt to something; to fit in. •(figurative) To seamlessly move a melody from one instrument to another. noun4 •The tail of a dove (family Columbidae); also, something having the shape of a dove's tail. •[before a noun] In full dovetail joint: a type of joint where adjoining components are fastened by multiple tenons cut into wedge shapes resembling a dove's tail, which interlock with mortises having corresponding shapes.[T]hese must be joined at Bottom to the Piles by a strong Dove-tail, and the Piles joined vvith Braces; […] — 1733 •[before a noun] A tenon cut into a wedge shape resembling a dove's tail so that it interlocks with a mortise having a corresponding shape in a dovetail joint. •A line resembling a dovetail joint.I shall add other tvvo Forms of Lines, […] The first of these tvvo is termed Patee, or Dove-Tail, from a Form of Art used by Joiners, vvho make Joints one into the other by that Name: […] — 1722 formsdovetailed · dovetailing · dovetails
