tailwise

English

Etymology

From 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.