ˈfeðə n. & v. --n. 1
any of
the appendages growing
from a bird's
skin,
with a
horny hollow stem
and fine strands. 2
one or
more of
these as
decoration etc. 3 (collect.) a
plumage. b game-birds. --v. 1 tr.
cover or line with feathers. 2 tr. Rowing
turn (an oar) so
that it passes
through the
air edgeways. 3 tr. Aeron. & Naut. a
cause (the
propeller blades) to rotate in
such a
way as to
lessen the air or
water resistance. b
vary the
angle of
incidence of (helicopter blades). 4 intr.
float,
move, or
wave like feathers. øfeather
bed a bed with a
mattress stuffed with feathers. feather-bed v.tr. (-bedded, -bedding)
provide with (esp. financial) advantages. feather-bedding the
employment of
excess staff. feather-brain (or -head) a
silly or
absent-minded person. feather-brained (or -headed) silly, absent-minded. feather-edge the fine
edge of a wedge-shaped
board. a feather in one's
cap an
achievement to one's
credit. feather one's
nest enrich oneself. feather-stitch
ornamental zigzag sewing. in fine (or high) feather colloq. in
good spirits. øøfeathered adj. (also in comb.). featherless adj. feathery adj. featheriness n. [OE fether, gefithrian, f. Gmc]
