Blacktail

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈblækˌteɪl/

Definitions

1. A species of fish recognized for its unique shade and location, a designation for particular deer subspecies prevalent in the U.S., and a phrase describing specific bird tail features that are marked by a dark hue
2. An aquatic creature distinguished by its striking color and typical environments, a label applied to certain varieties of deer found mainly in North America, and a term denoting the black-colored parts in the tails of some bird species
3. A type of fish noted for its distinctive color and habitat, a term for specific North American deer subspecies, and an expression identifying the dark coloration found in the tails of various bird species

Etymology: Blacktail is about as transparent as English compounds get: "black" joined to "tail," naming the dark-tipped tail of the mule deer, a western North American deer whose tail is black on top. The name describes the animal by its most visible marking, the way many common animal names do. The word is a plain compound with no hidden history. Both parts are ordinary English words in their own right, and the combination was made in English to distinguish this western deer from its eastern relatives, which have a white-tailed look instead. Its meaning has stayed fixed since the word was formed, with no shift in sense to trace.