Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Resembling or suggestive of the tail of a fish in shape or movement.
- intransitive verb To have the rear end of a forward-moving vehicle swerve from side to side out of control.
- intransitive verb To swing the tail of an airplane from side to side in order to reduce speed.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb (aeronautics) to slow down by moving the tail sideways, of an airplane.
- intransitive verb to have the rear end skid from side to side, out of control: -- said of automobiles or other vehicles.
- intransitive verb a gas burner that gives a spreading flame shaped somewhat like the tail of a fish.
- intransitive verb (Steamship) a propeller with a single blade that oscillates like the tail of a fish when swimming.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun The tail of a fish, or an object resembling this.
- verb intransitive To swing the back of a vehicle (originally an aircraft) from side to side.
- verb intransitive To move with the tail swinging from side to side in this way.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb slow down by moving the tail sideways
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Meanwhile Kelly Osbourne – who America seems to have decided is a "fashion expert" – is claiming that "the fishtail is a massive trend this year", which is great news if you're a cod.
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You might not think that the fishtail is your sort of thing either, but if you want authenticity, then it 's your best bet.
Parka Perfection Tina Gaudoin 2010
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Meanwhile Kelly Osbourne - who America seems to have decided is a "fashion expert" - is claiming that "the fishtail is a massive trend this year", which is great news if you're a cod.
The Guardian World News Joshua Alston 2012
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The Formula One driver was caught by police executing a "burnout" and "fishtail" - tricks in which wheels are intentionally spun and skidded - in front of fans ahead of the Melbourne
mirror.co.uk - Home 2010
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A police officer tried several times to perform what is known as a fishtail maneuver to make the car lose control, but those attempts failed until the driver exited the highway and tried to turn into a restaurant parking lot.
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"It is our belief that [electronic stability control] should prevent the kind of fishtail event described," Ms. Piscitelli said.
Toyota to Halt Sale of SUV Consumer Reports Slammed Kate Linebaugh 2010
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"It is our belief that [electronic stability control] should prevent the kind of fishtail event described," Ms. Piscitelli said.
Toyota to Halt Sale of SUV Consumer Reports Slammed Kate Linebaugh 2010
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"It is our belief that [electronic stability control] should prevent the kind of fishtail event described," Ms. Piscitelli said.
Toyota to Halt Sale of SUV Consumer Reports Slammed Kate Linebaugh 2010
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"It is our belief that [electronic stability control] should prevent the kind of fishtail event described," Ms. Piscitelli said.
Consumer Reports Calls Lexus GX 460 Unsafe Kate Linebaugh 2010
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"burnout" and "fishtail" - tricks in which wheels are intentionally spun and skidded - in front of fans ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in March.
icCheshireOnline 2010
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