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Glite Dictionary
rat-tail file

rat-tail file

9.5
A thin metal tool with a round taper used to smooth small round holes and curves
  • noun
  • /ˈrætˌteɪl faɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lima de cola de rata
  • To smooth the edges of the circular opening, use a rat-tail file for precision.

Examples

  • There was one photo, they had two pieces of wood with a rat tail file in between it and it's just being exposed to this field effect.

  • When shaping the wood for the project, a rat-tail file can help create curved surfaces.

  • After drilling the hole, I finished the edges with a rat-tail file to ensure a perfect fit.

Synonyms

file
vsrat-tail file
54 5.6

A rough tool with sharp teeth used to shape metal or wood

is a specific thin tapering form used for curves and circular openings
round file
vsrat-tail file
  • Specialized
7.0

A metal tool with a round shape to smooth or widen holes

is thinner and tapers for filing circular openings and tighter curves

Surface Forms

rat-tail file singular
rat-tail files plural

Morphology

rat-tail + file

The compound is descriptive: 'rat-tail' indicates a thin, tapering shape (like a rat's tail) and 'file' denotes the abrasive tool, so together they name a thin, round, tapering file for curves. A B1 learner who knows 'rat', 'tail', and 'file' can readily infer this literal, shape-based meaning.

Etymology

The noun rat-tail file comes from its shape: a thin, round file whose end becomes thin like a rat-tail. Because this shape fits inside small round holes and inner curves, people use it 'to file' those places, so the name explains its use.