tails
Definition
Noun: 1. Formal evening wear for men: A man's formal suit for evening events, traditionally consisting of a black or white tailcoat (a coat with a long back divided into two tapering pieces) and matching trousers. The term is often used to refer to the entire ensemble. 2. The reverse side of a coin: The side of a coin that does not bear the image of a head, typically showing a different design. (Note: This is a separate, distinct meaning from the formalwear definition.)
Usage
- The primary use of tails as a noun referring to clothing is specific to formal men's fashion.
- It is used with singular or plural verbs depending on whether you refer to the suit as a single outfit or its components.
- Example as a singular concept:
- Example as plural components:
Examples
Noun (Formalwear):
- For the wedding, all the groomsmen are required to wear tails.
- The orchestra members were dressed in white tie and tails.
- He looked very distinguished in his tails.
Noun (Coin side):
- The coin landed on tails.
- "Heads or tails?" she asked, flipping a penny.
Advanced Usage
- "To be in tails": To be dressed in formal tailcoat attire.
- All the gentlemen were in tails for the diplomatic reception.
Variants and Related Words
- Tailcoat (n): The specific jacket with two long back panels that forms the key part of "tails."
- White tie (n): The most formal dress code, which requires men to wear tails, a white bow tie, and a white waistcoat.
- Tailsuit (n): A less common but precise term for the full ensemble.
Synonyms
- Formalwear: General term for formal clothing.
- Evening dress: Attire for formal evening events.
- White tie: Specifically refers to the dress code requiring tails.
- (For coin side) Reverse: The opposite side of the obverse (head).
Antonyms
- (For clothing) Casual wear: Informal clothing.
- (For coin side) Heads: The obverse side of a coin, typically featuring a portrait.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "Heads or tails?": The question asked before flipping a coin to make a decision, presenting the two possible outcomes.
- Let's decide by a coin toss. Heads or tails?
- "To turn tail": To run away from something, usually out of fear. (This idiom uses "tail" in a different sense, related to an animal's tail).
- When the guard appeared, the intruder turned tail and fled.
Noun
-
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
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