En*tail" (?), n. [OE. entaile carving, OF. entaille, F., an incision, fr. entailler to cut away; pref. en- (L. in) + tailler to cut; LL. feudum talliatum a fee entailed, i. e., curtailed or limited. See Tail limitation, Tailor.]
1.
That which is entailed
. Hence:
Law (a)
An estate in fee entailed, or limited in descent to a particular class of issue
. (b)
The rule by which the descent is fixed.
A power of breaking the ancient entails, and of alienating their estates.
Hume.
2.
Delicately carved ornamental work; intaglio.
[Obs.] "A work of rich
entail."
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.
En*tail", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Entailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Entailing.] [OE. entailen to carve, OF. entailler. See Entail, n.]
1.
To settle or fix inalienably on a person or thing, or on a person and his descendants or a certain line of descendants; -- said especially of an estate; to bestow as an heritage.
Allowing them to entail their estates.
Hume.
I here entail
The crown to thee and to thine heirs forever.
Shak.
2.
To appoint hereditary possessor.
[Obs.]
To entail him and his heirs unto the crown.
Shak.
3.
To cut or carve in a ornamental way.
[Obs.]
Entailed with curious antics.
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.