white feather

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. a symbol of cowardice.

white feather

noun

1. a symbol or mark of cowardice
2. show the white feather
   to act in a cowardly manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of white feather¹

First recorded in 1775–85; originally from a white feather in a gamecock's tail, taken as a sign of inferior breeding and hence of poor fighting qualities

Word History and Origins

Origin of white feather¹

from the belief that a white feather in a gamecock's tail was a sign of a poor fighter

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. show the white feather, to behave in a cowardly manner.

More idioms and phrases containing white feather

see show the white feather .

Example Sentences

The little old Queen shaped exactly like a teapot, with white feathers in her bonnet.

From Literature

They both have round heads, dark eyes, tiny beaks and bodies covered in mottled brown and white feathers.

From New York Times

Gleaming white feathers covered its head, neck and chest, yielding to black plumes on its wings.

From New York Times

According to the British Trust for Ornithology, leucistic birds lack a substance called melanin which results in them having white feathers.

From BBC

Rather than a sign of getting picked on, Sinnott said the raven’s tail may be tattered because white feathers tend to be weaker than black ones, leading to more wear and tear.

From Seattle Times