Dovetail

Definition

A woodworking joint formed by cutting interlocking wedge-shaped segments that resemble a dove's tail, used to join two pieces of wood at right angles. The term can also mean to fit together neatly or harmoniously.

Example Usage

The antique dresser featured expertly crafted dovetail joints that had lasted over a century.

Origin

Named for the visual resemblance of the interlocking segments to a dove's spread tail feathers.

Fun Fact

Dovetail joints are considered a hallmark of fine furniture craftsmanship and date back to at least 2000 B.C. in ancient Egypt.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms

Beginner

Cohort

A fancy word for a group of students who suffer through the same program together, forming trauma bonds that last a lifetime. It sounds military because the dropout rate is comparable.

🎓 Education / Academia

Intermediate

TermpaperMonkeyfest

An all-night cramming session where sleep is sacrificed and coffee is the only food group. A chaotic but oddly bonding experience where college students discover they're either geniuses under pressure or complete disasters.

🎓 Education / Academia

Beginner

pass/fail option

A grading alternative that allows students to take courses without risking their GPA, typically used for challenging classes outside their major. It's the academic equivalent of playing it safe, though graduate schools can usually see right through it.

🎓 Education / Academia

Intermediate

Tanager

A small to medium-sized songbird in the family Thraupidae, known for brilliant and varied plumage in colors like red, yellow, blue, and orange. Tanagers are found primarily in the Americas and are popular among birdwatchers for their vibrant appearance and melodious calls.

🎓 Education / Academia

Intermediate

ode

A formal, often lengthy poem of praise or celebration dedicated to a specific person, object, or idea, typically written in an elevated or dignified style. Odes often express admiration, gratitude, or reverence.

🎓 Education / Academia

Intermediate

retention rate

The percentage of first-year students who return for their second year, serving as a key metric of institutional success or, more honestly, how well a school prevents freshmen from realizing they made a mistake. Administrators obsess over it; marketing departments inflate it.

🎓 Education / Academia

Translate This Term

See “Dovetail” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Advanced

job architecture

The structured framework defining job levels, career paths, and salary ranges across an organization. Essentially the bl...