Tailing: meaning, definitions and examples

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tailing

 

[หˆteษชlษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

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

residue, sludge, waste.

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.
Context #2 | Verb

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

follow, shadow, track.

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "tailing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น seguindo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅ€เค›เคพ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Verfolgung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengikuti

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปั–ะดัƒะฒะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›ledzenie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฟฝ่ทก

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท suivi

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ seguimiento

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท takip etme

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ถ”์ 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุชุจุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sledovรกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sledovanie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ทŸ่ธช

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sledenje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fylgja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐะดะฐา“ะฐะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒ›แƒแƒขแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ izlษ™mษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ seguimiento

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,481, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.