A ray or beam of light; the tail of a comet.

Any feathery-like tuft or excrescence: applied e.g. to the tail of a comet.

The tail of a comet; (also) a luminous trail left by the passage of a meteor through the atmosphere. Also in figurative contexts.

A stream of dust emitted by some comets, appearing on the opposite side to the tail. Now chiefly historical.

A thing, part, or appendage, resembling the tail of an animal in shape or position. The luminous train usually extending from the ‘head’ of a comet.

Formerly, †the tail of a comet. In modern use, a long, thin component or appendage of the tail of some comets.

A luminous protuberance which appears to extend from a comet's head towards the sun. Cf. tail, n.1 2b.