Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense dovetails, present participle dovetailing, past tense, past participle dovetailed
1. verb
If two things dovetail or if one thing dovetailswith another, the two things fit together neatly or have some common characteristics.
I'm following up a few things that might dovetail. [VERB]
...an attempt to look for areas where U.S. interests can dovetail with Japanese concerns. [VERB + with]
It is important that we dovetail our respective interests. [VERB noun]
The government should dovetail regional interests with those of the country as awhole. [VERB noun with noun]
Synonyms: correspond, match, agree, accord More Synonyms of dovetail
2.
See dovetail joint
More Synonyms of dovetail
dovetail in British English
(ˈdʌvˌteɪl)
noun
1.
a wedge-shaped tenon
2. Also called: dovetail joint
a joint containing such tenons
verb
3. (transitive)
to join by means of dovetails
4.
to fit or cause to fit together closely or neatly
he dovetailed his arguments to the desired conclusion
dovetail in American English
(ˈdʌvˌteɪl)
noun
1.
a part or thing shaped like a dove's tail; specif., a projecting, wedge-shaped part (tenon) that fits into a corresponding cut-out space (mortise) to form an interlocking joint
2.
a joint thus formed
verb transitive
3.
to join or fasten together by means of dovetails
4.
to piece together (facts, etc.) so as to make a logically connected whole
verb intransitive
5.
to fit together closely or logically
Examples of 'dovetail' in a sentence
dovetail
If so, the admission he was searching for his brother might dovetail into Dash's arrest if he was already here.
Raymond E. Feist SHARDS OF A BROKEN CROWN (1995)
1 (verb)
Definition
to fit together closely or neatly
I'm following up some things that might dovetail.
Synonyms
correspond
The two maps of London correspond closely.
match
Their strengths in memory and spatial skills matched.
agree
His second statement agrees with the facts.
accord
coincide
a case in which public and private interests coincide
tally
The figures didn't seem to tally.
conform
These activities do not conform with diplomatic rules and regulations.
harmonize
The music had to harmonize with the seasons.
2 (verb)
Definition
to fit together closely or neatly
The pieces dovetail seamlessly.
Synonyms
fit together
join
The opened link is used to join the two ends of the chain.
fit
Fit hinge bolts to give support to the door lock.
unite
They have agreed to unite their efforts to bring peace.
link
the Channel Tunnel linking Britain and France
interlock
The tragedies begin to interlock.
tenon
mortise
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accord
Synonyms
agree,
match,
answer,
fit,
suit,
square,
coincide,
correspond,
tally,
conform,
chime,
harmonize
in the sense of agree
Definition
to be consistent
His second statement agrees with the facts.
Synonyms
correspond,
match,
accord,
answer,
fit,
suit,
square,
coincide,
tally,
conform,
chime,
harmonize
in the sense of coincide
Definition
to agree or correspond exactly
a case in which public and private interests coincide