bobtail

Everyday

1. A short tail, or a tail that has been cut short. tree →
2. An animal with a short tail, such as a bobtail cat or a rabbit. tree →
3. The Old English Sheepdog, a big shaggy dog, is often called a «bobtail». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on animals, a short tail can be natural (rabbits, Manx cats, bobtail squid). In stories it describes animals. In everyday British talk, «bobtail» is a nickname for the Old English Sheepdog. Old phrase: «ragtag and bobtail» meant a ragged crowd.

Examples

• The rabbit's white bobtail bounced as it ran. tree →
• Our neighbour has a fluffy bobtail sheepdog. tree →
• A Manx cat has a bobtail or no tail at all. tree →
• The bobtail squid glows in the dark sea. tree →
• The horse had a bobtail. tree →
• The bobtail dog shook water all over us. tree →
• Deer flash their bobtails as a warning. tree →

Note

Countable: a bobtail, bobtails. «Bob» here means cut short, like a bob haircut. As an adjective you can say «bobtail» or «bobtailed».