rat-tail noun.
['ratteɪl] E18.[from RAT noun1 + TAIL noun1.]1. A tail resembling that of a rat;
esp. a horse's tail with little or no hair; a horse with such a tail.
E18.2. Something resembling a rat's tail in shape;
spec. (a) (in full
rat-tail-file) a fine rounded tapering file;
(b) a lank lock of hair;
(c) an extension from the handle to the back of the bowl of a spoon.
M18.3. In
pl. =
RAT'S-TAIL 1.
M18.4. Any of various deep-water marine gadoid fishes of the family Macrouridae, having a large head, short body, and long, tapering tail.
L19.
Comb.:
rat-tail cactus =
RAT'S-TAIL cactus;
rat-tail-file: see sense 2(a) above;
rat-tail-grass Austral. &
NZ a coarse grass of pastures,
Sporobolus capensis;
rat-tail-spoon: with a rat-tail.
[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲