Noun
/tāl fɪn/
The term "tail fin" refers to a fin located on the tail of a fish, whale, or other aquatic creatures. It plays a critical role in providing propulsion and steering for swimming animals. In mechanics, it can also refer to aerodynamic features in airplanes.
Frequency of Use: "Tail fin" is more commonly used in written contexts, such as scientific literature, textbooks about biology, marine life discussions, and aerodynamics, than in everyday spoken English.
The shark gracefully swam through the ocean, its tail fin cutting through the water.
Tiburón nadaba graciosamente por el océano, su aleta caudal cortando el agua.
The airplane's tail fin is designed to improve stability during flight.
La aleta de cola del avión está diseñada para mejorar la estabilidad durante el vuelo.
Biologists studied the different shapes of the tail fin in various fish species to understand their swimming abilities better.
Los biólogos estudiaron las diferentes formas de la aleta caudal en varias especies de peces para comprender mejor sus habilidades de natación.
The phrase “tail fin” is not typically used in idiomatic expressions. However, the concept of a “tail fin” can be associated with several idioms related to movement, direction, or propulsion. Here are some examples that illustrate such associations:
"To have a tailwind at your back" means to have favorable conditions that assist you in moving forward more easily.
"Tener un viento de cola a tus espaldas" significa tener condiciones favorables que te ayuden a avanzar más fácilmente.
"To leave no stone unturned" implies making every possible effort when pursuing a goal, similar to how a fin propels a fish in every direction to explore.
"No dejar piedra sin mover" implica hacer todo lo posible al perseguir un objetivo, similar a cómo una aleta impulsa a un pez en todas direcciones para explorar.
"To follow someone’s lead" refers to imitating or following someone’s actions, much like how a fish uses its tail fin to follow the currents of water.
"Seguir el ejemplo de alguien" se refiere a imitar o seguir las acciones de alguien, al igual que un pez usa su aleta caudal para seguir las corrientes de agua.
The term "tail fin" is a compound noun formed from "tail," which originates from the Old English word "tægle," meaning the end part of an animal, and "fin," derived from the Latin "pinna," referring to a feather or wing-like structure used for swimming or flight.
Synonyms: - Caudal fin - Heterocercal fin (specific types in fish)
Antonyms: - There are no direct antonyms for "tail fin," as it is a specific term in anatomy. However, if considering other body parts, "head" may be seen as an opposite in context.