bobtail
bobtail Lexical Profile
bobtail Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short or docked tail on an animal, such as a horse, dog, or cat.
"The lynx is easily recognized by its tufted ears and characteristic black-tipped bobtail."
An animal, especially an Old English Sheepdog or certain breeds of cat, that naturally has or is bred to have a very short or docked tail.
"Their friendly bobtail greeted every visitor at the farm gate with an enthusiastic bark."
North American A semi-trailer truck tractor operating without an attached trailer, or a small truck with a short chassis.
"The driver parked the bobtail near the loading dock while waiting for the next freight assignment."
• adjective
Having a naturally short or surgically docked tail.
"The farmer kept a pair of energetic bobtail dogs to herd the cattle."
North American Operating or consisting of a semi-trailer tractor cab without an attached trailer.
"Parking a bobtail rig in the crowded city lot was much easier than maneuvering a full eighteen-wheeler."
• verb
North American To drive or operate a semi-trailer truck tractor without an attached trailer.
"After dropping off the cargo container at the port, she had to bobtail fifty miles back to the depot."
To cut short or dock the tail of an animal, or to shorten something by cutting off its end.
"Work horses were historically bobtailed to prevent their hair from getting tangled in the harness."
• Rhymes for bobtail
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 16th century, this compound combines the dialected English word 'bob' (meaning a bunch or a shortened tail of a horse) with 'tail'.