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“Tael” or “Tail” or “Tale”

tael / tail / tale are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

tael

  • nouna unit of weight used in east Asia approximately equal to 1.3 ounces.

tail t·EY·l

  • nounthe posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body.
  • nounany projection that resembles the tail of an animal.
  • nouna spy employed to follow someone and report their movements.
  • noun(usually plural) the reverse side of a coin that does not bear the representation of a person's head.
  • nounthe rear part of an aircraft.
  • verbremove the stalk of fruits or berries.

tale t·EY·l

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“tael”

  • …Verhandeling op d'Onacht der moederlycke tael in de Nederlanden (Essay on…

“tail”

  • The wings and tail surfaces are covered in Dacron…
  • If I Had a Tail
  • …and rear end of fuselage), tail surfaces, and doors.
  • …in that he retains his tail, which he can utilize as…
  • …has very large wing and tail surfaces to allow a stretch…
  • …encouraging them to attack the tail rather than the head end.
  • …at the base of the tail.
  • …appear to almost lack a tail, as their tail rectrices are…
  • …mysterious man with a scorpion-like tail that can conjure a poison…
  • …the ability to wrap his tail around his leg to unleash…

“tale”

  • …solitary fairy, but in fairy tale literature he is a member…
  • Ef: The First Tale.
  • …Grey Mouse: A Trinity College Tale depicts Carmilla and Dracula as…
  • …describes as "an age-old cautionary tale of the privatization of a…
  • …Private Profit - A Cautionary Tale tells the story of the…
  • Unlike a tale of Lovecraftian horror, however, the…
  • Ef: The Latter Tale.
  • Segment 5: Fairy Tale
  • The tale of Airlangga's life was illustrated…
  • It is a "gruelling cruel tale" from the Edo period.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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