pinfeather

American  

[pin-feth-er] / ˈpɪnˌfɛð ər /

noun

Ornithology.

1. an undeveloped feather before the web portions have expanded.

2. a feather just coming through the skin.

---

pinfeather British  

/ ˈpɪnˌfɛðə /

noun

1. ornithol a feather emerging from the skin and still enclosed in its horny sheath

---

Etymology

Origin of pinfeather

First recorded in 1765–75; pin + feather

Example Sentences

Poor eagle—he scarcely has a pinfeather left by the time that H. L. Mencken, William Allen White, Sherwood Anderson and their kind are through with him.

From Time Magazine Archive

Other pinfeather fliers, who turned their checkered caps backward when they climbed into their planes, called him "The Dude."

From Time Magazine Archive

Famished after their uphill fight, they fell to and swallowed many a pinfeather in their eagerness.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hospital Tommy drew a pinfeather toothpick from under his smock.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Thar's plenty of people, same as this pinfeather party, who discerns beauties in their sweethearts that's veiled to you an' me.'

From Wolfville Nights by Lewis, Alfred Henry