veiltailn.
/ˈveɪlteɪl/, U.S. /ˈveɪlˌteɪl/ Originally: a variety of goldfish having a rounded body, a long, divided, trailing tail (caudal fin), and a large dorsal fin; a fish of this variety. In later use also: a large-tailed variety of any of several other aquarium fishes; a fish of such a variety. Frequently attributive.
ΚΠ
1885 Nature 12 Nov. 41/1 A large consignment of Chinese and Japanese fish has lately reached this country, including the variegated goldfish,..the veil or fantail, the fringetail, and nymphi.
1905 Country Life 28 Jan. 119/2 A bright red veil-tail, with its transparent white caudal fin, is really a beautiful creature in an aquarium.
1917 W. T. Innes Goldfish Varieties & Trop. Aquarium Fishes iii. 45 (caption) Veiltail Telescope.
1964 Sheboygan (Wisconsin) Press 17 Apr. (advt.) Fabulous assortment of Veiltail Guppies 98c to $25 per pair.
1993 C. E. Purdom Genetics & Fish Breeding iv. 56 The flowing fins of the comet, veiltail, fantail moor and most other fancy strains are obvious genetic developments.
2008 G. Skomal Goldfish (ed. 2) ii. 29 Veiltails require space to swim because of their long fins, so the aquarium should not be overcrowded.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1885