What does pintailed mean?
Pintailed means having a pointed, pin-like tail. The word is used chiefly of birds whose tail feathers narrow toward the tip and may also identify a bird as one of the kind commonly called a pintail. Its clearest application is in bird names, including pintailed duck and pintailed grouse, where it helps describe the characteristic shape of the tail. Although a person might literally describe any object as pintailed, that use is uncommon in ordinary speech. The expression derives from the same elements as pintail: a pin-like form and a tail. The word is therefore especially useful in ornithological writing, where the distinction between the noun pintail, a particular kind of duck, and the adjective pintailed, describing its tapering tail, is meaningful.
adjectiveHaving a pointed or pin-like tail, especially as characteristic of certain birds. It may also refer to a bird belonging to the pintail group.
- Having a pointed or pin-like tail.
- Belonging to or characteristic of a pintail.
"The pintailed duck raised its head above the reeds."
"A pintailed bird glided over the lake."
"The guide identified the pintailed duck among the migrating flock."
The familiar pintail duck takes its name from the narrow, elongated central feathers that taper like pins.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pintailed come from?
The word was formed in English from pin, suggesting a narrow pointed shape, and tail, with the suffix -ed used to form an adjective. The related noun pintail is older and has long been used for ducks distinguished by their long, tapering central tail feathers. Both words belong to a family of English compounds and derivatives built on the name of the tail and its pin-like form.
How pintailed is actually used
The adjective is chiefly used in ornithological contexts and in compound bird names. It is less common than the related noun pintail and is not normally used as an everyday description of a tail.
Easily confused with pintailed
A pintail is a bird, especially the northern pintail, whereas pintailed is an adjective describing a pointed or pin-like tail or a bird of that kind.