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Glite Dictionary
tailward

tailward

7.3
Toward the back end of an animal or object
  • adverb
translation icon : hacia la cola
  • The stripes on the fish run tailward from its gills to its fin.

Examples

  • The scientist noted that the pattern extended tailward along the lizard's back.

  • As the animal moved, its fur seemed to ripple tailward in the breeze.

  • The dog turned tailward to chase the squirrel.

  • She pointed tailward to show where the barn was.

  • The stripes on the fish run tailward from its gills to its fin.

  • As the animal moved, its fur seemed to ripple tailward in the breeze.

  • The scientist noted that the pattern extended tailward along the lizard's back.

Synonyms

back
vstailward
∞ 1.0

Toward the rear of something

is more narrowly about the rear end rather than general rear
aft
vstailward
  • Specialized
51 7.0

Near the back of a ship or the tail of a plane

is broader, applying to animals or objects not only vehicles
backward
vstailward
16 1.0

Facing the back

is focused on the rear end rather than general facing or direction
caudally
vstailward
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Toward the rear of the body

is used more widely for animals or objects outside strict anatomy
posteriorly
vstailward
  • Specialized
1 7.7

Toward the back of a person or thing

points specifically to the rear end rather than the general back
rearward
vstailward
1 7.0

Located at or pointing toward the back of something

is more specific to the rear end of animals or objects
sternward
vstailward
  • Specialized
8.1

Toward the back of a ship or boat

is less tied to ships and applies to many animals or objects

Surface Forms

tailward positive

Morphology

tailward = tail (transparent) = tail + ward

Formed by the productive directional suffix '-ward' added to the noun 'tail', yielding a clear adverbial meaning 'toward the tail'.

Etymology

Tailward joins the simple word tail and the old ending -ward, which means 'toward' or 'in the direction of', and you see the same ending in forward and homeward. So tailward means moving or pointing toward the tail or rear of an animal or object.