Pronunciation: [ɛntˈe͡ɪl] (IPA) 
The word "entail" is spelled /ɪnˈteɪl/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet. It is a verb that means to involve or require as a necessary part or consequence. The spelling of this word is straightforward, with the Latin roots "en-" (meaning in or within) and "tailleur" (meaning to cut). When using this word, it is important to note that the "t" is pronounced, unlike in the similar word "detail", where the "t" is silent.
Entail, as a verb, typically refers to the act of imposing a requirement, an obligation, or a condition that must be fulfilled or satisfied for a particular outcome, consequence, or action to occur. It involves encompassing something as an essential or necessary component, usually with far-reaching implications or consequences.
In legal or property contexts, entail refers to limiting inheritance or the devolution of a property to a specific set of heirs who inherit the property in a predetermined order. This ensures that the property remains within a particular lineage, preventing its dispersal or being sold or removed from the family.
The term entail can also describe a situation where a particular action or decision results in other subsequent actions or events, either expected or unintended, often involving a chain reaction or a cascade of consequences. It suggests that a particular action or choice cannot occur in isolation but is tied to other related actions or conditions down the line.
Furthermore, entail can be used to express the need for or involve detailed or extensive requirements, conditions, or implications. It suggests that a particular task or goal requires careful consideration of various factors, potential outcomes, or underlying complexities in order to be successfully accomplished.
As a noun, entail refers to the actual requirement, condition, or limitation that is imposed, either legally or naturally, in a particular situation. It signifies the essential or inherent element that must be taken into account or addressed when dealing with a specific matter or circumstance.
• To fix the succession of lands or tenements to a certain line of descendants, so that the one in possession can neither sell nor burden them except by legal process under an Act of Parliament, and with the consent of the next two heirs; to fix as an inevitable consequence on persons or things.
• Lands or tenements limited in descent; the settled rule of descent for an estate.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "entail" originated in Middle English as "entailen" or "entail(l)en" around the 14th century. It comes from the Old French verb "enteiler", which meant "to cut into" or "to divide". The Old French word ultimately derived from the Late Latin "intaliāre", which meant "to limit" or "to determine the boundaries". The word "entail" in English originally referred to the act of limiting or determining the boundaries of land ownership, which later extended to signify a legal restriction on the inheritance of property. Over time, the term also acquired a more general meaning in English to denote any kind of consequence or result that logically follows from something.
