feather Hear it!

feather Definition

feather (fet̸h′ər)

noun

  1. Zool. any of the growths covering the body of a bird or making up a large part of the wing surface, as down or contour feathers: a typical contour feather consists of a horny central shaft, partly hollow, from which light, soft, narrow barbs, with interlocking barbules and barbicels, extend to form a thin, flat surface
  2. a feather or featherlike part fastened to the shaft of an arrow to help control its flight
  3. anything like or suggesting a feather or feathers in appearance, lightness, etc., as
    1. a trifle
    2. a projecting part, esp. for fitting into a groove
    3. an irregular flaw in a gem
    4. the fringe of hair along the tail and along the back of the legs of some dogs
  4. Archaic
    1. plumage
    2. attire; dress
  5. class; kind enthusiasts of every feather
  6. frame of mind; temper; vein
  7. the act of feathering an oar or propeller

Etymology: ME fether < OE; akin to Ger feder < IE base *pet-, to fall, fly > Gr pteron, wing, piptein, L petere, to fall, Sans pátati, (he) flies

transitive verb

  1. to provide (an arrow, etc.) with a feather
  2. to cover, fit, or fringe with or as with feathers
  3. to give a featheredge to
  4. to join by inserting a wedge-shaped part into a groove
  5. to turn (the blade of an oar) parallel to the line of movement in recovering after a stroke, so as to offer the least resistance to air or water
    1. to turn (the blade of a propeller) on its shaft so that its leading and trailing edges are nearly parallel with the airplane's line of flight, thus preventing engine damage caused by airflow turning the propeller during an engine failure
    2. to change the angle of the blades of a helicopter rotor

intransitive verb

  1. to grow, or become covered with, feathers
  2. to move, grow, or extend like feathers
  3. to look like feathers
  4. to feather an oar or propeller

feather Related Forms
feath′er·less adjective
feather Idioms

feather in one's cap

a distinctive accomplishment; achievement worthy of pride

feather one's nest

to grow rich by taking advantage of circumstances

in feather

feathered

in fine feather

or in high feather or in good feather

in very good humor, health, or form

feather Synonyms

feather

n.

quill, plume, plumage, shaft, down, fin, wing, calamus, tuft, crest, fringe, plumule, spike, pompon.

Types of feathers include: wing, powder-down, dust, pulviplume, tail, rudder, rectrix, covert, tail covert, flight, rowing, remex, half-feather, semi-plume, metallic, metallic scale, down, duck, contour, pinfeather, ungrown, auricular, filoplume.

in fine<strong> or </strong>high<strong> or </strong>good feather

well, in good humor, in good health, in good form; see happy 1, healthy 1, well 1.

feather Usage Examples

Object

  • headdress: A score or more of screaming warriors clad in loin cloths and feathered headdresses appeared all around him.

Converse of object

  • ruffle: Motion to Land Registry Group I put a motion forward to my Branch AGM held in February, which ruffled some feathers.
  • pluck: They can often chase the rest of the flights occupants, plucking feathers from them.
  • spit: Bert Fry has already been on the phone ' spitting feathers ' .
  • preen: The range of textures he creates - tough hide, fluffy fur, preened feathers, dry scales - is extraordinary.

Adjective modifier

  • downy: Feathers are always worth studying in close-up especially if you can compare the small downy feathers and the larger display feathers.
  • injurious: High risk of injurious feather pecking and cannibalism, thus beak trimming is often necessary.

Modifies a noun

  • boa: We have an excuse to wear feather boas all weekend then.
  • duster: During dull weather, dust the flowers with a feather duster or a paint brush.
  • fascinator: From romantic tiaras to breathtaking feather fascinators we have a style to suit you!
  • headdress: In Mexico City Behind a pane of glass Sits a feather headdress Of unnatural beauty.
  • quill: With the handmade feather quill, Honey Dust can be gently spread over the body of your partner or yourself.
  • pillow: The beds are at least as wide as they are long and adorned in beautiful bed linen with huge feather pillows.

Noun used with modifier

  • ostrich: Fly Whisk On display in the Museum is a fan-like object made of ostrich feather.
  • peacock: We have had a few peacock feathers around for many years; we used to buy them to play with our cats.
  • tail: The tail feathers can be seen to the left of the figure.
  • goose: They can be filled with duck or goose feather or down.

Possessives

  • peacock: It is considered unlucky to keep peacocks ' feathers in the house.

Present participle complement

  • peck: If birds are brought indoors they should be provided enrichment to promote foraging and reduce feather pecking.
  • pluck: In the last few weeks we have discussed everything from Folk Britannia to feather plucking parrots!
feather Quotes

Jolly boating weather And a hay-harvest breeze, Blade on the feather, Shade off the trees; Swing, swing together, With your body between your knees.

—Cory,William originally  WilliamJohnson

It took the whole of Creation To produce my foot, my each feather: Now I hold Creation in my foot.

—Hughes,Ted (Edward James)

'He's supposed to have a particularly high-class style: ''Feather footed through the plashy fen passes the questing vole''†would that be it?' 'Yes,'said the Managing Editor.'That must be good style.'

—Waugh, Evelyn Arthur StJohn

A pistol let off at the ear; not a feather to tickle the intellect.

—Lamb, Charles

If you want truth to go round the world you must hire an express train to pull it; but if you want a lie to go round the world, it will fly: it is as light as a feather, and a breath will carry it. It is well said in the old proverb, 'a lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on'.

—Springsteen, Bruce

I will go stark: and let my meanings show Clear as a milk-white feather in a crow Or a black stallion on a field of snow.

—Campbell, (Ignatius) Roy Dunnachie

What is the odds so long as the fire of soul is kindled at the taper of conwiviality, and the wing of friendship never moults a feather!

—Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

Democracy! Bah! When I hear that word I reach for my feather Boa!

—Ginsberg, Allen

Self-pity in its early stage is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.

—Angelou, Maya originally MayaJohnson

Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren't go a-hunting, For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk, Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap, And white owl's feather!

—Allingham,William

Asthe eaglewas killed by thearrow wingedwith its own feather, so the hand of the world is wounded by its own skill.

—Keller, Helen Adams

A wit's a feather, and a chief a rod; An honest man's the noblest work of God.

—Pope, Alexander