dovetail joint
1
6.6
- noun
- /ˈdʌvˌteɪl dʒɔɪnt/
- Specialized
- High-quality cabinets often feature dovetail joints for added durability and strength.
Examples
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Mullen: Tomorrow I'll show you how to make a dovetail joint.
Fiction book (1998) -
So this is that laser head and you know it's this metal piece attaches to this axis using this dovetail joint right here.
-
lwent with a dovetail joint on the drawers.
-
The carpenter demonstrated how to create a strong connection using a dovetail joint in the furniture.
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To ensure the best craftsmanship, she insisted that each drawer include a dovetail joint in its design.
Synonyms
1
7.9
A strong wood joint made by fitting wedge pieces into matching notches
1
8.2
A strong wood connection where a peg on one piece fits into a hole in another piece
1
5.8
A place where two pieces lie on top of each other and are fastened together
1
4.9
A way of joining wooden boards by fitting an edge into a matching slot to make a flat strong surface
How Strong
- Specialized
1
8.2
- Specialized
1
6.6
- Specialized
1
4.9
- Specialized
1
5.8
- Specialized
1
6.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The term is directly compositional: 'dovetail' already names a specific type of interlocking woodworking piece and 'joint' indicates a connection, so together they denote that particular strong interlocking connection. This is a technical noun–noun naming pattern (almost tautological) and follows normal compositional logic, so a learner who knows both constituent meanings will understand the expression.
Etymology
The term dovetail joint comes from the way wood pieces are cut: each piece has little 'tails' shaped like a dove's tail that fit into matching slots. When the 'tails' lock into the slots the pieces hold together very tightly, so the name shows a very strong, neat 'connection'.