noun. A fan-shaped tenon that forms a tight interlocking joint when fitted into a corresponding mortise.

noun. A joint formed by interlocking one or more such tenons and mortises.

intransitive verb. To cut into or join by means of dovetails.

intransitive verb. To connect or combine precisely or harmoniously.

intransitive verb. To be joined together by means of dovetails.

intransitive verb. To combine or interlock into a unified whole.

To unite by tenons in the form of a pigeon's tail spread let into corresponding mortises in a board or timber: as, to dovetail the angles of a box.

Figuratively, to unite closely, as if by dovetails; fit or adjust exactly and firmly; adapt, as one institution to another, so that they work together smoothly and harmoniously.

noun. In carpentry, a tenon cut in the form of a dove's tail spread, or of a reversed wedge; a manner of fastening boards or timbers together by letting tenons so cut on one into corresponding cavities or mortises in another.

noun. plural Two irons, one with a flange, the other with a recess, cut to a taper: used to hold carriage-doors in position.

noun. A flaring tenon, or tongue (shaped like a bird's tail spread), and a mortise, or socket, into which it fits tightly, making an interlocking joint between two pieces which resists pulling a part in all directions except one.

noun. a molding of any convex section arranged in a sort of zigzag, like a series of dovetails.

noun. a saw used in dovetailing.

transitive verb. undefined

transitive verb. To cut to a dovetail.

transitive verb. To join by means of dovetails.

transitive verb. To fit in or connect strongly, skillfully, or nicely; to fit ingeniously or complexly.

noun. A type of joint where adjoining boards are fastened by interlocking fan-shaped cutouts.

verb. To unite with a dovetail joint.

verb. To fit together well.

noun. a mortise joint formed by interlocking tenons and mortises

verb. fit together tightly, as if by means of a dovetail

"A thru single dovetail_, Fig. 267, is similar to a slip-joint except that instead of a tenon there is a dovetail."