Tailing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ช
tailing
[หteษชlษชล ]
Definitions
mining waste
Tailing refers to the waste material or byproducts generated during the mining process. These are the remnants left after the extraction of valuable minerals or metals from the ore. Tailings can include a mixture of water, chemicals, and finely ground rock, which can pose significant environmental challenges if not managed properly. They can contaminate soil and groundwater, leading to potential hazards to ecosystems and human health.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The mining company implemented new measures to manage the tailings more effectively.
- Contaminated tailings have been a major environmental concern in the region.
- After the extraction process, the tailings were stored in a designated facility.
following closely
To tailing means to follow someone closely, often in a stealthy manner. This word is used particularly in the context of observing or tracking someone without their awareness. The action can be used for various purposes, including research, monitoring behavior, or even in security settings.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The detective was tailing the suspect through the busy streets.
- She felt someone tailing her and became suspicious.
- The journalist decided to start tailing the politician to uncover the truth.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Law Enforcement
- Police often engage in tailing suspects as a method to gather evidence without being detected.
- Tailing can be critical in investigations, as it helps authorities monitor movements and interactions.
- In many jurisdictions, officers need permission to tail someone if it involves extensive surveillance.
Sports
- In racing or motorsports, tailing refers to following closely behind another competitor to reduce wind resistance.
- Athletes utilize the strategy of tailing opponents in competitive scenarios to conserve energy for later stages of the contest.
- Tailing can change dynamics in team sports, enabling plays through strategic positioning.
Technology
- In data analysis, 'tailing' can refer to tracking specific data points or anomalies in a dataset.
- The term is also used in internet security, where tailing refers to monitoring network traffic to watch for threats.
- Software developers sometimes use 'tailing' in programming to refer to processing data at the end of a stream.
Cultural References
- In literature and film, tailing is a common trope in thrillers where a private investigator follows a suspect.
- Popular culture often depicts characters tailing others as a sign of mystery or intrigue, creating tension in the plot.
- The concept appears in video games too, where players might need to tail NPCs (non-playable characters) without being noticed.
Origin of 'tailing'
Main points about word origin
- The word is derived from the Old English 'tรฆgel', meaning 'to follow', which focuses on movement behind.
- In Middle English, 'tail' referred to the back part of an animal, which contributes to the modern sense of following closely.
- The suffix '-ing' indicates the action of following, making 'tailing' about the ongoing act.
The term 'tailing' has its origins in the mining industry, where it refers to the refuse or tailings left after valuable minerals are extracted. The word comes from the combination of 'tail' which signifies the end part, and the suffix '-ing' indicating the present action. The use of 'tailing' in the context of mining can be traced back to the mid-19th century, during the Gold Rush, when mining activities surged, leading to a significant increase in waste production. Over time, 'tailing' evolved to encompass a broader range of waste products from various extraction processes, making it a vital term in discussions about mining ethics and environmental sustainability. In addition, 'tailing' as a verb appeared later in the 20th century, deriving from the slang use of 'to tail' which means to follow closely or to stealthily observe.