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feather
[feth-er]
noun
one of the horny structures forming the principal covering of birds, consisting typically of a hard, tubular portion attached to the body and tapering into a thinner, stemlike portion bearing a series of slender, barbed processes that interlock to form a flat structure on each side.
kind; character; nature.
two boys of the same feather.
something like a feather, as a tuft or fringe of hair.
something very light, small, or trivial.
Your worry is a mere feather.
Archery.one of the vanes at the tail of an arrow or dart.
Carpentry.a spline for joining the grooved edges of two boards.
Masonry.plug and feathers
a featherlike flaw, especially in a precious stone.
Machinery.feather key.
Archaic.attire.
Obsolete.plumage.
verb (used with object)
to provide with feathers, as an arrow.
to clothe or cover with or as with feathers.
Rowing.to turn (an oar) after a stroke so that the blade becomes nearly horizontal, and hold it thus as it is moved back into position for the next stroke.
Aeronautics.
to change the blade angle of (a propeller) so that the chords of the blades are approximately parallel to the line of flight.
to turn off (an engine) while in flight.
verb (used without object)
to grow feathers.
to be or become feathery in appearance.
to move like feathers.
Rowing.to feather an oar.
verb phrase
South_Midland_U.S.to attack (a person, task, or problem) vigorously.
feather
/ ˈɛðə /
noun
any of the flat light waterproof epidermal structures forming the plumage of birds, each consisting of a hollow shaft having a vane of barbs on either side. They are essential for flight and help maintain body temperature
something resembling a feather, such as a tuft of hair or grass
archery
a bird's feather or artificial substitute fitted to an arrow to direct its flight
the feathered end of an arrow, opposite the head
a strip, spline, or tongue of wood fitted into a groove
the wake created on the surface of the water by the raised periscope of a submarine
rowing the position of an oar turned parallel to the water between strokes Compare square
a step in ballroom dancing in which a couple maintain the conventional hold but dance side by side
condition of spirits; fettle
in fine feather
something of negligible value; jot
I don't care a feather
people of the same type, character, or interests
a cause for pleasure at one's achievements
your promotion is a feather in your cap
to fail to upset or injure someone
it didn't take a feather out of him
verb
(tr) to fit, cover, or supply with feathers
rowing to turn (an oar) parallel to the water during recovery between strokes, principally in order to lessen wind resistance Compare square
(in canoeing) to turn (a paddle) parallel to the direction of the canoe between strokes, while keeping it in the water, principally in order to move silently
to change the pitch of (an aircraft propeller) so that the chord lines of the blades are in line with the airflow
(tr) to join (two boards) by means of a tongue-and-groove joint
(intr) (of a bird) to grow feathers
(intr) to move or grow like feathers
to provide oneself with comforts, esp financial
feather
One of the light, flat structures that cover the skin of birds. A feather is made of a horny substance and has a narrow, hollow shaft bearing flat vanes formed of many parallel barbs. The barbs of outer feathers are formed of even smaller structures (called barbules) that interlock. The barbs of down feathers do not interlock. Evolutionarily, feathers are modified scales, first seen in certain dinosaurs.
Other 51Թ Forms
- featherless adjective
- featherlessness noun
- featherlike adjective
- ˈڱٳ adjective
- ˈڱٳ-ˌ adjective
- ˈڱٳ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of feather1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of feather1
Idioms and Phrases
a feather in one's cap, a praiseworthy accomplishment; distinction; honor.
Being chosen class president is a feather in her cap.
smooth one's ruffled / rumpled feathers, to regain one's composure; become calm.
After the argument, we each retired to our own rooms to smooth our ruffled feathers.
ruffle someone's feathers, to anger, upset, or annoy (another person).
feather one's nest, to take advantage of the opportunities to enrich oneself.
The mayor had used his term of office to feather his nest.
in fine / high feather, in good form, humor, or health.
feeling in fine feather.
birds of a feather. bird.
Example Sentences
Before he could take action, the feathered thief flew off with the mug.
His opulent ivory and gold ensemble - created by designer Prabal Gurung - complete with a feathered bejewelled turban, trended in India for weeks.
On screen, they possessed a bewitching stillness, performing barefoot in a pair of golden feathered trousers like some sort of musical Icarus.
After working with birds for about 30 years, he said his first priority was to stabilise his new feathered friend.
Posing on the cover of Rolling Stone while wearing almost nothing but a feathered war bonnet was supposed to mark Avery’s national success and celebrate her pride as a member of the Muscogee tribe.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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