shuttlecock

American  

[shuht-l-kok] / ˈʃʌt lˌkɒk /

noun

1. Also called shuttle.  the object that is struck back and forth in badminton and battledore, consisting of a feathered cork head and a plastic crown.

2. the game of battledore.

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verb (used with object)

1. to send or bandy to and fro like a shuttlecock.

verb (used without object)

1. to move or be bandied to and fro.

adjective

1. of such a state or condition.

   a shuttlecock existence.

shuttlecock British  

/ ˈʃʌtəlˌkɒk /

noun

1. Often shortened to: shuttle.  a light cone consisting of a cork stub with feathered flights, struck to and fro in badminton and battledore

2. anything moved to and fro, as in an argument

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verb

1. to move or cause to move to and fro, like a shuttlecock

Usage

What is a shuttlecock? A shuttlecock is the object that’s volleyed back and forth over the net with rackets in the sports of badminton and battledore. It’s not a ball—it consists of a cork head and a feathered cone.It can also be called a shuttle, birdie, or bird.The feathered part of the shuttlecock may consist of actual feathers (usually from a goose) or synthetic materials. Traditional shuttlecocks weigh about 5 grams (.18 ounces) and have 16 feathers attached to the top.The shuttlecock is best-known for its use in badminton, but it is also used in the lesser-known sport of battledore, which is sometimes called battledore and shuttlecock.The word shuttlecock is sometimes also used in a figurative way to refer to something moved back and forth, or as a verb meaning to move back and forth or send something to and fro—a reference to the way that a shuttlecock is volleyed back and forth.Example: The movements of the shuttlecock are much different than those of a ball and make badminton a dynamic game. 

Etymology

Origin of shuttlecock

First recorded in 1515–25; shuttle + cock ¹

Example Sentences

Also in the athletes' area, there will be "coffee tables made from recycled shuttlecocks, poufs from parachute canvas and chairs from recycled bottle tops", according to organisers.

From BBC

With a total of 7,763 data points collected, each swing was meticulously labeled based on stroke type, player's skill level, shuttlecock landing position, impact location relative to the player, and sound upon impact.

From Science Daily

It is an easy sport to pick up, most leisure centres have courts and you can hire racquets and shuttlecocks.

From BBC

Kids ride electric hoverboards, or they may play da cau, a sport dating back nearly 1,500 years that involves kicking a shuttlecock.

From Seattle Times

Shuttlecocks, also known as birdies or birds, are traditionally made from duck feathers, but nylon shuttlecocks have become more widely used because of their superior durability.

From Science Daily