tailgate
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tail·gate
(tāl′gāt′)n.
1. A hinged part that extends across the rear of a pickup truck or other vehicle and can be folded down or to a horizontal position for loading and unloading.
2. One of the pair of gates downstream in a canal lock.
v. tail·gat·ed, tail·gat·ing, tail·gates
v.tr.
To drive so closely behind (another vehicle) that a collision is likely if that vehicle brakes suddenly.
v.intr.
1. To follow another vehicle too closely.
2. To participate in a tailgate party.
tail′gat′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
tailgate
(ˈteɪlˌɡeɪt)n
1. (Automotive Engineering) another name for tailboard
2. (Automotive Engineering) a door at the rear of a hatchback vehicle
3. (Civil Engineering) a gate that is used to control the flow of water at the lower end of a lock. Compare headgate
vb
to drive very close behind (a vehicle)
ˈtailˌgater n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
tail•gate
(ˈteɪlˌgeɪt)n., v. -gat•ed, -gat•ing,
adj. n.
1. a board or gate at the back of a wagon, truck, station wagon, etc., that can be removed or let down for loading or unloading.
2. a style of playing the trombone, esp. in Dixieland jazz, distinguished esp. by the use of melodic counterpoint and long glissandi.
v.i. 3. to follow or drive hazardously close to the rear of another vehicle.
4. to have a picnic on a tailgate, esp. of a station wagon.
v.t. 5. to follow or drive hazardously close to the rear of (another vehicle).
adj. 6. set up on a tailgate or near an automobile, as in a parking lot: a tailgate picnic.
[1865–70, Amer.; (definition 5) so called from the usual seat of trombonists in trucks carrying musicians during a parade]
tail′gat`er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
tailgate
- Originally a gate that dropped down at the tail of a wagon.See also related terms for tails.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
tailgate
Past participle: tailgated
Gerund: tailgating
| Imperative |
|---|
| tailgate |
| tailgate |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | tailgate - a gate at the rear of a vehicle; can be lowered for loading beach waggon, beach wagon, estate car, station waggon, station wagon, waggon, wagon - a car that has a long body and rear door with space behind rear seat gate - a movable barrier in a fence or wall motortruck, truck - an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling |
| Verb | 1. | tailgate - follow at a dangerously close distance; "it is dangerous to tailgate another vehicle" follow - to travel behind, go after, come after; "The ducklings followed their mother around the pond"; "Please follow the guide through the museum" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
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