1. <ornithology> One of the peculiar dermal appendages, of several kinds, belonging to birds, as contour feathers, quills, and down.


2. Kind; nature; species; from the proverbial phrase, "Birds of a feather," that is, of the same species. "I am not of that feather to shake off My friend when he must need me." (Shak)









Feather alum, a hydrous sulphate of alumina, resulting from volcanic action, and from the decomposition of iron pyrites; called also halotrichite. Feather bed, a bed filled with feathers. Feather driver, one who prepares feathers by beating. Feather duster, a dusting brush of feathers. Feather flower, an artifical flower made of feathers, for ladies' headdresses, and other ornamental purposes.

<botany> Feather grass Scrupulously exact weight, so that a feather would turn the scale, when a jockey is weighed or weighted. The lightest weight that can be put on the back of a horse in racing. In wrestling, boxing, etc, a term applied to the lightest of the classes into which contestants are divided; in contradistinction to light weight, middle weight, and heavy weight. A feather in the cap an honour, trophy, or mark of distinction. To be in full feather, to be in full dress or in one's best clothes. To be in high feather, to be in high spirits. To cut a feather.

To make the water foam in moving; in allusion to the ripple which a ship throws off from her bows. To make one's self conspicuous. To show the white feather, to betray cowardice, a white feather in the tail of a cock being considered an indication that he is not of the true game breed.

Origin: OE. Fether, AS. Feder; akin to D. Veder, OHG. Fedara, G. Feder, Icel. Fjor, Sw. Fjader, Dan. Fjaeder, Gr. Wing, feather, to fly, Skr. Pattra wing, feathr, pat to fly, and prob. To L. Penna feather, wing. Cf. Pen a feather.

(01 Mar 1998)

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