marabou

American  

[mar-uh-boo] / ˈmær əˌbu /

noun

1. any of three large storks of the genus Leptoptilus, of Africa or the East Indies, having soft, downy feathers under the wings and tail that are used for making a furlike trimming for women's hats and garments.

2. one of the feathers.

3. the trimming or material made of the feathers.

4. thrown silk that can be dyed without being scoured.

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marabou British  

/ ˈmærəˌbuː /

noun

1. a large black-and-white African carrion-eating stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, with a very short naked neck and a straight heavy bill See also adjutant bird

2. a down feather of this bird, used to trim garments

3. 1. a fine white raw silk

   2. fabric made of this

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Etymology

Origin of marabou

1815–25; < French marabout literally, marabout

Example Sentences

But this is not a blood-and-guts show business exposé — it’s a diaphanous portrait of a woman who, like Anderson herself, wafts through life like a marabou feather.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2025

The researchers in this study also found large footprints from a bird, likely from the giant marabou stork lineage, according to the study.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2024

The devastation has already seen flocks of marabou storks and other birds that perched and nested on the trees migrate to tall buildings in the city centre.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2021

Sequins, gold, marabou and platform heels came as standard across men’s and womenswear, with flamboyance and glamour the key words.

From The Guardian • Feb. 13, 2019

She lay on a sofa covered with white marabou, her head sunk deep into a billowy morass of lace-coloured satin and lace-coloured lace.

From Balloons by Bibesco, Elizabeth