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

Yet none of the furry or feathered stars of this meditative, wondrous adventure need to wisecrack their way into our hearts.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Hancock also alluded to how he had had to “ruffle some feathers” to protect the NHS from political interference.

From BBC

Looks were styled with exaggerated hats, including an oversized leather newsboy cap with eyelets, and a white baseball cap transformed to sculptural effect with white feathers.

From Los Angeles Times

To answer such a fundamental question, the scientists started by demonstrating that, across all major parrot lineages, yellow and red in feathers correspond to two specific pigments that do not occur in other birds.

From Science Daily

Donald Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to join his Cabinet as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, and that nomination is already ruffling feathers in Congress.

From Salon

Related Words

• fringe
• plume