How Do You Spell SWALLOW'S-TAIL?

Pronunciation: [swˈɒlə͡ʊztˈe͡ɪl] (IPA)

The word "Swallow's-tail" is spelled as /ˈswɒl.oʊz-teɪl/. The first syllable, "swal," is pronounced with a short "a" sound (/æ/), while the second syllable, "low," is pronounced with a long "o" sound (/oʊ/). The apostrophe in "Swallow's" indicates possession, as if the swallow owns the tail. The hyphen between the two words indicates that they are connected, forming a compound word. Overall, the spelling of "Swallow's-tail" accurately reflects its pronunciation and meaning.

SWALLOW'S-TAIL Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "swallow's-tail" refers to a distinctive shape or pattern that resembles the forked tail of a swallow, a type of bird known for its gracefully elongated, pointed tail feathers. It is commonly used to describe various objects, structures, or designs that exhibit this particular shape.

    In the context of nature, "swallow's-tail" is often used to denote a specific butterfly species that belongs to the Papilionidae family. These butterflies are characterized by their elongated hindwings that taper into two pointed lobes, closely resembling the forked tail of a swallow. The term is also used to describe the tail of certain birds, such as the male long-tailed widowbird or the male white-tipped tail of the tropicbird.

    Beyond the realm of nature, "swallow's-tail" finds its application in various man-made objects and structures. For instance, in the world of fashion, a swallow's-tail coat or jacket is a formal garment characterized by a tail that is longer at the back and tapers towards the front, mimicking the bird's tail feathers. In carpentry and woodworking, a swallow's-tail joint refers to a type of dovetail joint that is shaped like the tail of a swallow, offering enhanced strength and aesthetic appeal. "Swallow's-tail" can also describe specific patterns found in various design elements, such as fabric prints or architectural motifs, that resemble the split tail of a swallow.

Common Misspellings for SWALLOW'S-TAIL

  • awallow's-tail
  • zwallow's-tail
  • xwallow's-tail
  • dwallow's-tail
  • ewallow's-tail
  • wwallow's-tail
  • sqallow's-tail
  • saallow's-tail
  • ssallow's-tail
  • seallow's-tail
  • s3allow's-tail
  • s2allow's-tail
  • swzllow's-tail
  • swsllow's-tail
  • swwllow's-tail
  • swqllow's-tail
  • swaklow's-tail
  • swaplow's-tail
  • swaolow's-tail
  • swalkow's-tail

Etymology of SWALLOW'S-TAIL

The etymology of the word "Swallow's-tail" traces back to the Middle English word "swalewes-tail", which was derived from the Old English word "swalewe" meaning "swallow" and "tæġel" meaning "tail". The term originally referred to the distinct shape of a bird's tail, resembling the forked tail of a swallow. It was later adopted in various contexts, such as the name of a type of coat with a split-tail design and in botany to describe certain types of flower petals that resemble the shape of a swallow's tail.