Dovetail \Dove"tail`\, n. (Carp.)
   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.
   [1913 Webster]

   Dovetail molding (Arch.), a molding of any convex section
      arranged in a sort of zigzag, like a series of dovetails.
      

   Dovetail saw (Carp.), a saw used in dovetailing.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	Dovetail \Dove"tail`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dovetailed; p. pr.
   & vb. n. Dovetailing.]
   1. (Carp.)
      (a) To cut to a dovetail.
      (b) To join by means of dovetails.
          [1913 Webster]

   2. To fit in or connect strongly, skillfully, or nicely; to
      fit ingeniously or complexly.
      [1913 Webster]

            He put together a piece of joinery so crossly
            indented and whimsically dovetailed . . . that it
            was indeed a very curious show.       --Burke.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	dovetail
    n 1: a mortise joint formed by interlocking tenons and mortises
         [syn: dovetail, dovetail joint]
    v 1: fit together tightly, as if by means of a dovetail

	

	126 Moby Thesaurus words for "dovetail":
   accord, agree, ankle, answer to, articulate, articulation, assent,
   assort with, batten, batten down, be consistent, be of one,
   be uniform with, bolt, boundary, buckle, butt, button, cervix,
   check, check out, chime, clasp, cleat, clinch, clip, closure,
   coact, cohere, coincide, concur, conform, conform with,
   connecting link, connecting rod, connection, consist with,
   cooperate, correspond, coupling, elbow, embrace, engage,
   fall in together, fit in, fit together, gliding joint, go,
   go together, go with, hang together, harmonize, hasp, hinge,
   hinged joint, hip, hit, hitch, hold together, hook, interact,
   interchange, interface, interlace, interlock, intermesh, interplay,
   intersect, intertwine, interweave, interwork, jam, jibe, join,
   joining, joint, juncture, knee, knuckle, latch, link, lock, match,
   mesh, miter, mortise, nail, neck, overlap, parallel, peg, pin,
   pivot, pivot joint, rabbet, register, register with, respond to,
   rivet, scarf, screw, seam, sew, shoulder, sing in chorus, skewer,
   snap, sort with, square, square with, stand together, staple,
   stick, stitch, suture, symphysis, tack, tally, tie rod, toggle,
   toggle joint, union, wedge, weld, wrist, zipper