Dictionary

feather en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈfeðə/ (New-Zealand)
• /ˈfeðə/ (Australia)
• audio
• /ˈfɛvə/ England, th-fronting
• /ˈfɛðə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• [ˈfɛðɚ] ~ [ˈfɛðɹ̩] (General-American)
• /ˈfɛðəɾ/ (Scotland)
• [ˈfeðə] ~ [ˈfe̞ðə] (Australia)
• /ˈfɛðɚ/ (General-American)
• (US) audio
• [ˈfe̝ðə] ~ [ˈfɪðə] (New-Zealand)

Etymology

From Middle English fethere, from Old English feþer, from Proto-West Germanic *feþru, from Proto-Germanic *feþrō, from Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ (“feather, wing”), from *peth₂- (“to fly”). Cognate with West Frisian fear (“feather”), Cimbrian bèdara, fòdara (“pillowcase”), vèdara (“feather”), Dutch veder, veer (“feather”), German Feder (“feather”), German Low German Fedder (“feather”), Luxembourgish Fieder (“feather”), Vilamovian faoder (“feather”), Yiddish פֿעדער (feder, “feather”), Danish fjeder, fjer (“feather”), Faroese fjøður (“feather”), Icelandic fjöður (“feather”), Norwegian Bokmål fjær, fjør (“feather”), Norwegian Nynorsk fjøder, fjør (“feather”), Swedish fjäder (“feather”). Also Ancient Greek πέτομαι (pétomai, “to fly”), Albanian shpend (“bird”), Latin penna (“feather”), Old Armenian թիռ (tʻiṙ, “flight”). The sense correlated with splines and keys (noun sense 4) probably reflects analogy with the fletching sense (noun sense 3).

Meanings

1. A branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds, used for flight, swimming, protection and display.
   • Notice, too, that the shaft is not straight, but bent so that the upper surface of the feather is convex, and the lower concave. 1873, W. K. Brooks, “A Feather”, in Popular Science Monthly, volume IV, page 687:
   • Big fellows they were, all of them, their barbaric headdresses and grotesquely painted faces, together with their many metal ornaments and gorgeously coloured feathers, adding to their wild, fierce appearance. 1914, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter V, in The Beasts of Tarzan:
   • Nesting birds pluck some of their own feathers to line the nest, but feather plucking in pet birds is entirely different. 2000, C. J. Puotinen, The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care, page 362:
2. Long hair on the lower legs of a dog or horse, especially a draft horse, notably the Clydesdale breed. Narrowly only the rear hair.
3. One of the fins or wings on the shaft of an arrow.
4. A longitudinal strip projecting from an object to strengthen it, or to enter a channel in another object and thereby prevent displacement sideways or rotationally but permit motion lengthwise.
   • Near-synonym: spline
5. Kind; nature; species (from the proverbial phrase "birds of a feather").
   • I am not of that feather to shake off / My friend when he must need me. c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
6. One of the two shims of the three-piece stone-splitting tool known as plug and feather or plug and feathers; the feathers are placed in a borehole and then a wedge is driven between them, causing the stone to split.
7. The angular adjustment of an oar or paddle-wheel float, with reference to a horizontal axis, as it leaves or enters the water.
8. Anything petty or trifling; a whit or jot.
   • To some pew purchasers he gave deeds, to others he gave, none, but both were promised security, and both it seems were equally secure, for the pew deed as Mr. Melledge declared to Mr. G. was not worth a feather. 1823, An Ecclesiastical Memoir of Essex Street Religious Society:
9. (in-plural) Partridges and pheasants, as opposed to rabbits and hares (called fur).
10. A junction indicator attached to a colour-light signal at an angle, which lights up, typically with four white lights in a row, when a diverging route is set up.
    • Signal M123 is a conventional 3-aspect colour light with three Junction Indicators - commonly known as 'feathers'. 2020 December 30, David Allen, “Unusual signals...: Morpeth Signal M123”, in Rail, page 64:
11. A faint edge.

Forms

Antonyms

spats

Coordinates

spline · key

Deriveds

featherly · feathercoat · knock someone down with a feather · feather merchant · parrotfeather · feather-heeled · dot or feather · feathering screw · feather duster · afterfeather · in high feather · Mexican feather grass · ruffle a few feathers · light as a feather · quill feather · feather oyster · featherstitch · pennaceous feather · featherbrained · protofeather · feather wool · feathermonger · feather edger · featherlight · feather grass · feathersome · feathergrass · midfeather · feather in one's cap · feathern · feather-dust · knock someone over with a feather · ice feather · feather-brained · befeather · featherlet · featherbrain · unfeather · down feather · featherleaf · contour feather · rosy feather star · gayfeather · feather bed · featherily · feather-light · feather duster worm · featherpate · feather boa · cut a feather · featherweed · saddle feather · white feather · feather-grass · feathering float · tar-and-feather · feather spray · parrot's-feather · featherbedding · feather shot · flight feather · feather pen · feather stick · feathering strip · feathering wheel · knock one over with a feather · featherdom · feather-headed · feather Christmas tree · featherfoil · feathertail · make the feathers fly · cock feather · featherless · feathermaker · feather alum · feather ore · in full feather · featheriness · feather-tailed possum · watch the feathers fly · the feathers fly · featherable · feathery · birds of a feather · pin feather · featherdown · ruffle some feathers · powder-down feather · feather-legged bug · sea feather · defeather · princess-feather · featherbone · feathermoss · featherwood · featherfoot · secondary feather · featherer · show the white feather · plug and feather · feather in one's hat · fine feathers make fine birds · feather tree · featherweight · feather palm · tailfeather · prince's feather · featherpated · featherwork · featherhead · featherbed · feather-veined · feather edge · Indian feather moss · beam feather · feather star · featherwise · blood feather · beak and feather disease · featherback · pinfeather · featherlike · feather-tailed glider · swine's feather · in fine feather · spit feathers · cock-feather · horsefeathers · feather-brain · feather-bed · of a feather

Relateds

fletchings

Synonyms

horsefeathers · feathers · feathering · pluma · plume · spline

Translations (309)

ln lonsala (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ast pluma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · az tük (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · oj miigwan (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vo pen (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · grc πτερόν (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi rau (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bg перо́ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sq pupël (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bni lisala (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · akl buebue (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ro pană (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cdo 羽毛 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi kōtore (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · frr Feđer (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vo plümem (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · my အတောင် (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lua disala (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vo bödaplümem (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi hikurangi (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · haw hulu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · id bulu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lol lonsala (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · atv ньум (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · xnb aapungu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tg пар (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sk pero (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cv тӗк (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · es pluma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · th ขนนก (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · slr sangliu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ht plim (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pnt κανάτ’ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi matakīrea (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · jv wulu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pnt φτερούλ’ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ba ҡаурый (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gun ague (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lut c'ic'al (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · arz ريشة (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pnt φτερὀν (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nrf plleume (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cy pluf (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · shn ၶူၼ် (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · th ขน (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tpn (s-) aba (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cho hushi hishi (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lv spalva (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi liuska (longitudinal strip, spline) · sl perọ̑ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · io plumo (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sh пѐро (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vo bödapen (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tew phó (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sq pendë (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi whā (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tt каурый (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ro fulg (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ba йөн (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · om baallee (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pnt φτερούγιν (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · evn дэктэннэ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi matakīrea (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · az lələk (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · luy omwiro (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gd ite (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi marihope (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · rsk пирко (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mt rix (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · enm fethere (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · hi पंख (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cy adain (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pap pluma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · uz par (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · dsb pjero (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ta சிறகு (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gl pena (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · non fjǫðr (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fy pinne (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nci ihhuitl (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pa ਖੰਭ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ang feþer (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi hūmaeko (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · km ស្លាប (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nl veer (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · uk перо́ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · es péndola (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tl sima (fin or wing on the shaft of an arrow) · de Vogelfeder (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gld дэктэчэ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · zu uphaphe class 11/10 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · af pluim (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · eu luma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · yi פֿעדער (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gl pruma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vo bödaplüm (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ln lonsálá (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ky куштун бир тал жүнү (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sw unyoya (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · yur re'noh (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ccc pwaye (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · si පිහාටුවක් (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nv atʼaʼ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · agj ላባ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bcl balukag (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nan-hbl 羽毛 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bho पंख (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · srn fowruwiwiri (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · zza purt (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nl pluim (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pt pena (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tpw aba (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · te ఈక (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fr fanon (long hair on the lower legs of a dog or horse) · av хӏули (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ckb پەڕ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi kurutou (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nn fjør (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vo plüm (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ru перо́ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vi lông (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · oc pluma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi huru (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · hsn 羽毛 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tl balahibo (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · rgn pióma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ka ბუმბული (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · luy emiiro (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · de Feder (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi kururemu hukumaro (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pnt γανάτ’ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · arz ريش (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · alt јуҥ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · rom pōr (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · za bwnsienq (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gl faixel (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi sulka (fin or wing on the shaft of an arrow) · tl bagwis (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ps پر (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mrw bombol (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · khb ᦃᦳᧃ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi liukukiila (longitudinal strip, spline) · scn pinna (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fa-ira پَر (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · it piuma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · zea plume (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · csb pióro (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ko 깃털 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ain コンコン (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sa पर्ण (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bg перо́ (fin or wing on the shaft of an arrow) · rhg fóoir (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · et sulg (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · qu phuru (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · alt тӱк (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pdt Fada (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · wa pene (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lb Plomm (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sc pinnia (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · wuu 羽毛 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · aho 𑜁𑜤𑜃𑜫 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ne प्वाँख (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ja 羽 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi remu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sk pierko (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mdh bumbul (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lo ຂົນ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · inh бедарг (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi maeko (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ltg spolva (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mnc ᡩᡝᡨᡥᡝ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · la plūma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ru перо́ (fin or wing on the shaft of an arrow) · luy olwoya (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · inz qap (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · he נוֹצָה (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · el πούπουλο (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ug پەي (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tk ýelek (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mn өд (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mr पीस (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · kmr pûrt (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ain ラㇷ゚ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · wao kʰápe (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · za bwn (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fur pene (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ml തൂവൽ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tdd ᥑᥨᥢᥴ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cs rous (long hair on the lower legs of a dog or horse) · da fjer (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi höyhen (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · css sippos (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · syl ꠙꠣꠈ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cu перо (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fy plom (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tl pulad (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi meremere (scapular) (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · rup peanã (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nds-de Fedder (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · slr mimilük (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ia pluma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · yue 羽毛 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ps بڼکه (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gl froixel (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cy plu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lu disala (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pms piuma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sh pèro (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ar رِيشَة (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cmn 羽 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · it penna (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · he נוצה (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sc pinna (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nb fjør (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ny nthenga (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ca ploma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · kk қауырсын (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · be пяро́ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vec pena (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi tyyppi (kind, nature) · ky канаттын бир талы (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cho hishi (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · hy փետուր (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · cs péro (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi hou (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vi lông vũ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ain コンコニ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mnc ᡶᡠᠩᡤᠠᡥᠠ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · orv перо (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi vuohiskarva (long hair on the lower legs of a dog or horse) · cmn 羽毛 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi lehti (part of stone-splitting tool) · tet fulun (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · alt јум (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · vi lông chim (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · br pluenn (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · blt ꪶꪄꪙ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · kmc bienl (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · izh sulka (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fur plume (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tr tüy (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sah куорсун (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gu પીછું (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ce пелаг (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · as পাখি (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mn өрөвлөг (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ga cleite (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nl veder (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi waitiripapā (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fo fjøður (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mi kīra (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nb fjær (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mww plaub noog (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · atv дьонъ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · yai бал (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · qu patpa (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lt plunksna (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bua үдэн (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · mk пердув (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · myv толга (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · nci tototzontli (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · af veer (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ill bumbul (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ur پَنکْھ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ota توی (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fr plume (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ko 종류 (kind, nature) · or ପର (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fy fear (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ms bulu pelepah (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · kw pluven (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ba ҡауырһын (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · hu toll (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · wba huhi (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · am ላባ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ar رِيش (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sv fjäder (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ko 유 (kind, nature) · pt pluma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pox perü (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · eo plumo (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bn পালক (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · fi sulka (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · it barbetta (long hair on the lower legs of a dog or horse) · ia penna (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · gl pluma (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · slr tüx (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · bo བྱ་སྒྲོ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ur پَر (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · syc ܐܒܪܬܐ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tsg bulbul (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · is fjöður (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · tpw pepó (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · lb Fieder (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pl pióro (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · el φτερό (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · pdt Poos (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · xal өдн (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · sm fulu (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · la penna (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ace bulee (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · uz pat (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · wa plome (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · kix vēukōi (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · syl ꠙꠣꠟꠇ (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · kmr perr (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ug تۈك (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · hi पर (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds) · ko 깃 (branching, hair-like structure that grows on the bodies of birds)

feather en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈfeðə/ (New-Zealand)
• /ˈfeðə/ (Australia)
• audio
• /ˈfɛvə/ England, th-fronting
• /ˈfɛðə/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• [ˈfɛðɚ] ~ [ˈfɛðɹ̩] (General-American)
• /ˈfɛðəɾ/ (Scotland)
• [ˈfeðə] ~ [ˈfe̞ðə] (Australia)
• /ˈfɛðɚ/ (General-American)
• (US) audio
• [ˈfe̝ðə] ~ [ˈfɪðə] (New-Zealand)

Etymology

From Middle English fethere, from Old English feþer, from Proto-West Germanic *feþru, from Proto-Germanic *feþrō, from Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ (“feather, wing”), from *peth₂- (“to fly”). Cognate with West Frisian fear (“feather”), Cimbrian bèdara, fòdara (“pillowcase”), vèdara (“feather”), Dutch veder, veer (“feather”), German Feder (“feather”), German Low German Fedder (“feather”), Luxembourgish Fieder (“feather”), Vilamovian faoder (“feather”), Yiddish פֿעדער (feder, “feather”), Danish fjeder, fjer (“feather”), Faroese fjøður (“feather”), Icelandic fjöður (“feather”), Norwegian Bokmål fjær, fjør (“feather”), Norwegian Nynorsk fjøder, fjør (“feather”), Swedish fjäder (“feather”). Also Ancient Greek πέτομαι (pétomai, “to fly”), Albanian shpend (“bird”), Latin penna (“feather”), Old Armenian թիռ (tʻiṙ, “flight”). The sense correlated with splines and keys (noun sense 4) probably reflects analogy with the fletching sense (noun sense 3).

Meanings

1. To cover or furnish with feathers; (when of an arrow) to fletch.
   • Olondaw had taught Hazeleye how to use her bow and arrows, and that each might know the result of his or her own shooting, he had feathered her arrow with white and his own with red. How strange are the events of this life, […] 1912, Frances, Object-lessons on Temperance, Or, The Indian Maiden and Her White Deer, page 117:
   • An Eagle had the ill Hap to be Struck with an Arrow Feather'd from her own Wing. 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
   • She feathered her arrows in the Seneca fashion, two lengths of feather tied on with a spiral twist, so they would spin in flight. The trick was to glue both sides in place with a little sticky pine sap so they would stay put while she tied them […] 2007, Thomas Perry, Vanishing Act, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, page 302:
2. To adorn, as if with feathers; to fringe.
   • A few birches and oaks still feathered the narrow ravines, or occupied in dwarf clusters the hollow plains of the moor. 1816, Jedadiah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], chapter II, in Tales of My Landlord, […], volume II (Old Mortality), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for William Blackwood, […]; London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 28:
3. To arrange in the manner or appearance of feathers.
   • The stylist feathered my hair.
4. (ambitransitive) To rotate the oars while they are out of the water to reduce wind resistance.
5. To streamline the blades of an aircraft's propeller by rotating them perpendicular to the axis of the propeller when the engine is shut down so that the propeller does not windmill during flight.
   • After striking the bird, the pilot feathered the damaged left engine’s propeller.
6. To finely shave or bevel an edge.
7. To intergrade or blend the pixels of an image with those of a background or neighboring image.
8. (intransitive) Of written or printed ink: to take on a blurry appearance as a result of spreading through the receiving medium.
   • Whether or not the ink feathers depends upon the paper or card, and also upon the nature of the dye in the ink. 1940, Circular of the Bureau of Standards, numbers 426-451, page 50:
9. (transitive) To render light as a feather; to give wings to.
   • c. 1650, Robert Loveday, letter to Mr. C. The Polonian story, which perhaps may feather some tedious hours.
10. (transitive) To enrich; to exalt; to benefit.
    • They stuck not to say that the king cared not to plume his nobility and people to feather himself. 1622, Francis, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban [i.e. Francis Bacon], The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh, […], London: […] W[illiam] Stansby for Matthew Lownes, and William Barret, →OCLC:
11. (transitive) To tread, as a cockerel.
    • Ardent in love[…]He feather'd her a hundred times a day. 1700, [John] Dryden, “The Cock and the Fox: Or, The Tale of the Nun’s Priest, from Chaucer”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
12. To move the cue back and forth along the bridge in preparation for striking the cue ball.
13. To accidentally touch the cue ball with the tip of the cue when taking aim.
14. (transitive) To touch lightly, like (or as if with) a feather.
    • A soft breeze feathered her face and hair. The smell of honeysuckle blanketed the air. She concentrated on shutting out every sound except the whisper of her heart. Gradually the inner distractions became fewer. 2006, Gary Parker, Her Daddy's Eyes, Baker Books, →ISBN, page 143:
    • His breath feathered her lips; her spine, her legs weakened, went soft at the wafting warmth. 2001, Joan Hohl, Maybe Tomorrow, Zebra Books, →ISBN, page 186:
15. (transitive) To move softly, like a feather.
    • She feathered her fingers through Mitchell's hair. “Besides, I like you a whole lot better than Frye.” 2005, Radclyffe, Justice Served, Bold Strokes Books Inc
    • “Asking me not to breathe would be simpler,” Drake said. “If I could spare you what's coming—” “No.” Drake feathered her fingers through Sylvan's hair. “We fight together.” Sylvan nodded and relaxed in her embrace. Drake didn't fear death. 2011, L.L. Raand, Blood Hunt, Bold Strokes Books Inc, →ISBN:

Forms

Deriveds

feather one's nest · feathered · tar and feather · feather one's own nest

Translations (18)

fi lepuuttaa (aeronautics: to streamline an aircraft's propeller blades when shut down) · fi kääntää lepuutusasentoon (aeronautics: to streamline an aircraft's propeller blades when shut down) · fr mettre en drapeau (aeronautics: to streamline an aircraft's propeller blades when shut down) · sw nyoya (carpentry, engineering: to finely shave or bevel an edge) · eo plumizi (to cover with feathers) · fi pontata (carpentry, engineering: to finely shave or bevel an edge) · fi peittää höyhenillä (to cover with feathers) · fi sommitella höyheniksi (to arrange in the manner of feathers) · sw nyoya (aeronautics: to streamline an aircraft's propeller blades when shut down) · fi viistää (carpentry, engineering: to finely shave or bevel an edge) · fi peittää sulilla (to cover with feathers) · fi kääntää lappeelleen (rowing: to rotate the oars while they are out of the water) · bg оперявам (to cover with feathers) · sw nyoya (to cover with feathers) · sw nyoya (to arrange in the manner of feathers) · io plumizar (to cover with feathers) · de befiedern (to cover with feathers) · sw nyoya (rowing: to rotate the oars while they are out of the water)