feather

feath•er

[[t]ˈfɛð ər[/t]] n.

1) orn one of the horny epidermal structures that form the principal covering of birds, consisting of a hollow shaft bearing a series of slender barbs that interlock to form a flat surface on each side

2) kind; character; nature:

two boys of the same feather[/ex]

3) condition, as of health, spirits, etc

4) zool. something like a feather, as a tuft or fringe of hair

5) something very light, small, or trivial

6) spo one of the vanes at the tail of an arrow or dart, for stabilization in flight

7) bui a spline for joining the grooved edges of two boards

8) jew a featherlike flaw, esp. in a precious stone

9) archaic

attire 2)

10) Obs.

plumage

11) to provide with feathers, as an arrow

12) to clothe or cover with or as if with feathers

13) spo 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

14) aer.

a) to change the blade angle of (a propeller) so that the chords of the blades are approximately parallel to the line of flight

b) to turn off (an aircraft engine) while in flight

15) orn to grow feathers

16) to be or become feathery in appearance

17) spo to feather an oar

•

- a feather in one's cap feather one's nest

Etymology: bef. 900; ME, OE fether feath′er•less, adj. feath′er•like`, adj.