: any of the light, horny, epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds
Note:
Feathers include the smaller down feathers and the larger contour and flight feathers. Larger feathers consist of a shaft (rachis) bearing branches (barbs) which bear smaller branches (barbules). These smaller branches bear tiny hook-bearing processes (barbicels) which interlock with the barbules of an adjacent barb to link the barbs into a continuous stiff vane. Down feathers lack barbules, resulting in fluffy feathers which provide insulation below the contour feathers.
Noun
they are a very sports-minded couple, and most of their friends are of the same feather
prom couples strutted into the ballroom in full feather
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This hybridizing never really ruffled many feathers though, as the plants were very closely related anyway.—Dr. Matthew Lisy, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2024 The light accentuates the room’s decor, which includes sconces from Jennings’ grandparents’ home in Shelbyville, a dresser from his aunt and uncle — with real turkey feathers hanging from above — and unique bedding from India.—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 20 June 2024
Verb
Blackburnian warblers, with throat feathers the color of flames, lock their feet and beaks together in a tussle.—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024 The last of those are incorporated into Ceci Cole McInturff’s small sculptures, which affix feathered wings to streamlined female torsos made of white plaster; the hybrids suggest new species of beauty.—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for feather
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Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English fether, from Old English; akin to Old High German federa wing, Latin petere to go to, seek, Greek petesthai to fly, piptein to fall, pteron wing
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
: one of the light horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds and that consist of a shaft bearing on each side a series of barbs which bear barbules which in turn bear barbicels commonly ending in the hooked processes and interlocking with the barbules of an adjacent barb to link the barbs into a continuous vane
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