feather

[ feth-er ]

noun

1. 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.
2. kind; character; nature:

   two boys of the same feather.

3. something like a feather, as a tuft or fringe of hair.
4. something very light, small, or trivial:

   Your worry is a mere feather.

5. Archery. one of the vanes at the tail of an arrow or dart.
6. Carpentry. a spline for joining the grooved edges of two boards.
7. Masonry. plug and feathers
8. a featherlike flaw, especially in a precious stone.
9. Machinery. feather key.
10. Archaic. attire.
11. Obsolete. plumage.

verb (used with object)

1. to provide with feathers, as an arrow.
2. to clothe or cover with or as with feathers.
3. 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.
4. Aeronautics.
   1. to change the blade angle of (a propeller) so that the chords of the blades are approximately parallel to the line of flight.
   2. to turn off (an engine) while in flight.

verb (used without object)

1. to grow feathers.
2. to be or become feathery in appearance.
3. to move like feathers.
4. Rowing. to feather an oar.

verb phrase

1. South Midland U.S. to attack (a person, task, or problem) vigorously.

feather

/ ˈfɛðə /

noun

1. 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
2. something resembling a feather, such as a tuft of hair or grass
3. archery
   1. a bird's feather or artificial substitute fitted to an arrow to direct its flight
   2. the feathered end of an arrow, opposite the head
4. a strip, spline, or tongue of wood fitted into a groove
5. the wake created on the surface of the water by the raised periscope of a submarine
6. rowing the position of an oar turned parallel to the water between strokes Compare square
7. a step in ballroom dancing in which a couple maintain the conventional hold but dance side by side
8. condition of spirits; fettle

   in fine feather

9. something of negligible value; jot

   I don't care a feather

10. birds of a feather
    people of the same type, character, or interests
11. feather in one's cap
    a cause for pleasure at one's achievements

    your promotion is a feather in your cap

12. not take a feather out of someone or not knock a feather out of someone
    to fail to upset or injure someone

    it didn't take a feather out of him

verb

1. tr to fit, cover, or supply with feathers
2. rowing to turn (an oar) parallel to the water during recovery between strokes, principally in order to lessen wind resistance Compare square
3. (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
4. to change the pitch of (an aircraft propeller) so that the chord lines of the blades are in line with the airflow
5. tr to join (two boards) by means of a tongue-and-groove joint
6. intr (of a bird) to grow feathers
7. intr to move or grow like feathers
8. feather one's nest
   to provide oneself with comforts, esp financial

feather

/ fĕth′ər /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈfeatherless, adjective
• ˈfeather-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈfeathery, adjective

Other Words From

• feather·less adjective
• feather·less·ness noun
• feather·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of feather¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English fether; cognate with Dutch veder, German Feder, Old Norse fjǫthr; akin to Greek pterón, Sanskrit pátram wing, feather

Word History and Origins

Origin of feather¹

Old English fether ; related to Old Frisian fethere , Old Norse fjöthr feather, Old High German fedara wing, Greek petesthai to fly, Sanskrit patati he flies

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. a feather in one's cap, a praiseworthy accomplishment; distinction; honor:

   Being chosen class president is a feather in her cap.

2. 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.

3. in fine / high feather, in good form, humor, or health:

   feeling in fine feather.

4. ruffle someone's feathers, to anger, upset, or annoy (another person).
5. 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.

6. birds of a feather. bird ( def 15 ).

More idioms and phrases containing feather

• birds of a feather
• fuss and feathers
• in fine feather
• knock down with a feather
• light as a feather
• make the dust (feathers) fly
• ruffle someone's feathers
• show the white feather
• tar and feather

Example Sentences

You can build your archery equipment with a sharp fixed-blade knife, some paracord, a flexible sapling, a few tree shoots for arrows, and a few feathers.

From Popular-Science

Perched and upright, the birds pointed their bills upwards, fluffed their feathers and stopped moving.

From Science News

Their feathers or scales have multiple layers of intricate micro- or nanostructures to absorb light.

From Science News For Students

The fossil find further suggests that Microraptor, which lived 120 million years ago, may have shed only a few feathers at a time — just like modern songbirds, researchers report July 16 in Current Biology.

From Science News

In a never-before-seen particle, four quarks of a feather flock together.

From Science News

And then having done that why did it actually feather, when apparently no crew command was given.

From The Daily Beast

People touched the yellow feather shroud, singing “Indian Red” as the transfer of the coffin to the vehicle was done.

From The Daily Beast

The Cessna landed like a feather on Bettles Field, a long, flat airstrip built by the Navy during World War II.

From The Daily Beast

Feather had recorded as a pianist, and although he would never put Oscar Peterson out of business, he knew his sharps and flats.

From The Daily Beast

But Cruz and Paul are speaking to significantly different audiences, despite being wacko birds of a feather.

From The Daily Beast

Clean your tube regularly, and your amber mouthpiece with a feather dipped in spirits of lavender.

From Project Gutenberg

Edna was sitting on the tabouret, idly brushing the tips of a feather duster along the carpet when he came in again.

From Project Gutenberg

Around her throat was a white feather boa, while her features were half concealed by the veil she wore.

From Project Gutenberg

Have both a feather bed and a mattress upon the bedstead, that she may place whichever she prefers uppermost.

From Project Gutenberg

He wore a cock feather over his ear, and on his head a diadem set with enormous gems.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fringe
• plume