sickle feather

noun

1. one of the paired, elongated, sickle-shaped, middle feathers of the tail of the rooster.

sickle feather

noun

1. (often plural) any of the elongated tail feathers of certain birds, esp the domestic cock

Word History and Origins

Origin of sickle feather¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Word History and Origins

Origin of sickle feather¹

C17: so called because of its shape

Example Sentences

The tail should be black and the sickle feathers tinged with a reddish white.

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The description ends with the conclusion that the growth of the spurs, and to a certain extent that of the long, curved sickle feathers, is not prevented by castration.

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