fantail

«fantail» in Mova's school dictionary: A small bird with a tail that spreads out like a fan; in… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

part of speech

noun (a fantail, fantails)

meaning for a pupil

1) A small bird with a tail that spreads out like a fan; in New Zealand the fantail (pīwakawaka) is a common, friendly bird that follows walkers to catch insects. tree →

2) A kind of fancy pigeon or goldfish with a fan-shaped tail. tree →

3) A tail or end shaped like a fan. tree →

sense in the lessons

In nature lessons in New Zealand and Australia, fantails are familiar birds; in Māori stories the pīwakawaka has a special role, linked with the hero Māui. Fantail pigeons and fantail goldfish are bred as pets. Phrases: «a fantail pigeon», «fantail goldfish».

examples

• A fantail flitted along the bush track beside us. tree →
• The fantail spread its tail like a little fan. tree →
• In New Zealand the fantail is called pīwakawaka. tree →
• Grandad keeps white fantail pigeons. tree →
• Our fantail goldfish has a long, flowing tail. tree →
• The fantail snapped up insects that our feet disturbed. tree →

note

Countable compound: fan + tail. In Australia there are several kinds called fantails or willie wagtails (a close relative). Names of breeds and birds are not always written with capitals.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «fantail» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.