tailwise

English

Etymology

tail +‎ -wise

Adverb

tailwise (not comparable)

  1. In the direction of the tail; tail first.
    • 1883, Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, page 211:
      No serrature of abdominal outline, but bony scales present or dermo-hæmal processes under true scales as figured above, overlapping and having short end pointing tailwise from pectoral to anal fin.
    • 1982, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services, Research and development, Title II, page 1216:
      If the Soviet missile were toppled, would it still go off if it hit sidewise or tailwise?
    • 2015, Chris Snell, The Shout:
      It was at this point the plane gave its lurch and slid tailwise down into the water until its rear fuselage struck the sandy sea bed.
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