feathered

[ feth -erd ]

/ ˈfɛð ərd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR feathered ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

clothed, covered, or provided with feathers, as a bird or an arrow.

quick; rapid; speedy; swift: feathered feet.

(of a veneer) cut to show a figure resembling a plume.

Nearby words

featherbed, featherbedding, featherbone, featherbrain, feathercut, feathered, featheredge, featherhead, feathering, featherlight, feathers

Origin of feathered

before 1000; Middle English fethered, Old English gefetherede, see feather, -ed³

Related forms

un·feath·ered, adjective

Definition for feathered (2 of 2)

feather

[ feth -er ]

/ ˈfɛð ər /

noun

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.

kind; character; nature: two boys of the same feather.

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

something very light, small, or trivial: Your worry is a mere feather.

Archery. one of the vanes at the tail of an arrow or dart.

Carpentry. a spline for joining the grooved edges of two boards.

Masonry. See under plug and feathers.

a featherlike flaw, especially in a precious stone.

Machinery. feather key.

Archaic. attire.

Obsolete. plumage.

verb (used with object)

to provide with feathers, as an arrow.

to clothe or cover with or as with feathers.

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.

Aeronautics.

to change the blade angle of (a propeller) so that the chords of the blades are approximately parallel to the line of flight.
to turn off (an engine) while in flight.

verb (used without object)

to grow feathers.

to be or become feathery in appearance.

to move like feathers.

Rowing. to feather an oar.

Verb Phrases

feather into, South Midland U.S. to attack (a person, task, or problem) vigorously.

Origin of feather

before 900; Middle English, Old English fether; cognate with Dutch veder, German Feder, Old Norse fjǫthr; akin to Greek pterón, Sanskrit pátram wing, feather

Related forms

feath·er·less, adjectivefeath·er·less·ness, nounfeath·er·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for feathered

Tyson is, of course, a fan of our feathered friends, owning an army of 2,000 pigeons.
Mike Tyson Reinvents Himself (Again) as a Cartoon TV Detective on ‘Mike Tyson Mysteries’|Annaliza Savage|July 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ventura did have more qualifications for elected office than simply wearing a feathered boa while grappling in the wrestling ring.
15 Fun Facts About the Politics of Minnesota, Colorado, and Missouri|Ben Jacobs|February 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Feathered Mardi Gras Indians marched attendees into the first session.
The Reboot Begins|Randall Lane|October 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Nicolas Chartier has been tarred and feathered in Hollywood for negative Oscar campaigning.
The Pariah of Oscar Weekend|Nicole LaPorte|March 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Weitz was tarred and feathered for the whitewash, an experience “that killed me,” he said the other day.
New Moon Countdown|Nicole LaPorte|November 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He spent a week on a mission to Otaki, and returned to Waikanae with 300 armed and feathered warriors at his heels.
A History of the English Church in New Zealand|Henry Thomas Purchas
A number of ugly painted and feathered fellows came in this morning on their way to the village in the valley.
Adventures in New Guinea|James Chalmers
In summer the feathered beggars took toll as they pleased of the cherries and small fruits in the garden.
The Corner House Girls in a Play|Grace Brooks Hill
Some of the feathered folk in Pleasant Valley said that old Mr. Crow was the noisiest person in the neighborhood.
The Tale of Jasper Jay|Arthur Scott Bailey
And, grabbing her feathered hat from the ground, she got up.
Tatterdemalion|John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for feathered

feather

/ (ˈfɛðə) /

noun

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

something resembling a feather, such as a tuft of hair or grass

archery

a bird's feather or artificial substitute fitted to an arrow to direct its flight
the feathered end of an arrow, opposite the head

a strip, spline, or tongue of wood fitted into a groove

the wake created on the surface of the water by the raised periscope of a submarine

rowing the position of an oar turned parallel to the water between strokesCompare square (def. 8)

a step in ballroom dancing in which a couple maintain the conventional hold but dance side by side

condition of spirits; fettlein fine feather

something of negligible value; jotI don't care a feather

birds of a feather people of the same type, character, or interests

feather in one's cap a cause for pleasure at one's achievementsyour promotion is a feather in your cap

not take a feather out of someone or not knock a feather out of someone Irish to fail to upset or injure someoneit didn't take a feather out of him

verb

(tr) to fit, cover, or supply with feathers

rowing to turn (an oar) parallel to the water during recovery between strokes, principally in order to lessen wind resistanceCompare square (def. 41)

(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

to change the pitch of (an aircraft propeller) so that the chord lines of the blades are in line with the airflow

(tr) to join (two boards) by means of a tongue-and-groove joint

(intr) (of a bird) to grow feathers

(intr) to move or grow like feathers

feather one's nest to provide oneself with comforts, esp financial

Derived Forms

featherless, adjectivefeather-like, adjectivefeathery, adjective

Word Origin for feather

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for feathered

feather

[ fĕð′ər ]

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.

Idioms and Phrases with feathered

feather

In addition to the idioms beginning with feather

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

also see:

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