Used to describe an actual tail that's naturally short or has been shortened.

Literal Meaning

Can refer to objects that are shorter than standard in a similar way to a shortened tail.

Figurative Use

Most commonly used with animals and certain types of vehicles.

Animals and Vehicles

Refers metaphorically to anything made shorter, like a text or a version of something.

Metaphorical Shortening

Commonly used in informal contexts such as summaries or informal reports.

Informal Texts

May indicate an incomplete version, missing some details or parts.

Not Always Complete

 And so that's how bioluminescence works -- they're talking with these chemical words. The reason Vibrio fischeri is doing that comes from the biology -- again, another plug for the animals in the ocean. Vibrio fischeri lives in this squid. What you're looking at is the Hawaiian bobtail squid. It's been turned on its back,

Bonnie Bassler: The...

 Some squid species have also developed unique adaptive behaviors. The deep-sea vampire squid, when startled, uses its webbed arms to make a cape it hides behind. The tiny bobtail, on the other hand, tosses sand over its body as it burrows away from prying eyes.

Bobtail