Etymology Dictionary

TAIL (1),  the end of the back-bone of an animal, a hairy appendage, appendage.  (E.)   M. E. tail, tayl, Chaucer, C. T. 3876.—A. S. tægl, tægel, a tail, Grein, ii. 523. + Icel. tagl. + Swed. tagel, hair of the tail or mane. + Goth. tagl, hair, Mark, i. 6. + G. zagel, a tail.   β. Root uncertain; it has been compared with Skt. daçá, the skirt of a garment, from Skt. daç, daç, to bite, allied to Goth. tahjan, to tear.   Perhaps the orig. sense was a shred, hence shaggy rough hair, &c.   Fick, iii. 116.   Der. tail-piece, a piece or small drawing at the tail or end of a chapter or book.   Also tail-ed, Rich. Coer de Lion, l. 1868.

TAIL (2),  the term applied to an estate which is limited to certain heirs.  (F.,—L.)   Better spelt taille.   'This limitation, or taille, is either general or special;' Cowel, in Todd's Johnson; see the whole article.—F. taille, 'a cutting,' &c.; Cot.   The same word as taille, a tally; see Tally, Tailor, Entail.