feathern.
/ˈfɛðə/, U.S. /ˈfɛðər/ I. As an appendage.† 3. Used in plural for: Wings. Obsolete. [Compare Latin pennae; the plural feðera was so used in Old English, but some of the examples in 12–14th cent. probably belong to Old English fiðere wing.] figurative.c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. i. 110 I shal ficche feþeres in þi þouȝt.1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. I2 Fleet-wing'd duetie with thoghts feathers flies. View more context for this quotationc1595 T. Maynarde Sir Francis Drake his Voy. (1849) 4 Hee hath feathers to fly to the toppe of his high desires.
1.
a. One of the epidermal appendages of a bird, usually in the form of a central shaft or midrib, of a horny nature, in part tubular, for the rest square in section and solid, fringed on either side with a ‘vane’, i.e. a row of thin narrow plates mutually adpressed (the ‘barbs’), which form a rounded outline at the end. Often preceded by some qualifying word, as contour-, covert-, pin-, quill- etc. feather. In plural also plumage.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun]
featherOE
pena1398
quill?a1425
plumec1475
OE Phoenix 145 Þonne swiað he ond hlyst gefeð, heafde onbrygdeð, þrist, þonces gleaw, ond þriwa ascæceð feþre flyhthwate; fugol bið geswiged.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 113 Ase brid þe haueð lute flech & feole fiðeren.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1668 Ne schal..a wrecche feþer on ow bileve.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xv. 173 Þe pokok and þe popeiay with here proude federes.
1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 152/2 Fedyr, penna, pluma.
1508 Bp. J. Fisher Wks. (1867) 154 She proyneth & setteth her feders in ordre.
1655 T. Moffett & C. Bennet Healths Improvem. x. 88 The best part of a Duck are his feathers.
1748 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage I. 155 The whole Feathers (excepting the Pinion Feathers, and the large Feathers of the Tail) are double.
1870 J. Yeats Nat. Hist. Commerce 309 A feather consists of three parts, the quill, the shaft, and the vane.
b. In various figurative expressions: †two feathers out of a goose: a very small part of anything. †to gain more feathers: (of a rumour) to assume larger proportions. to make the feathers fly: to cause a disturbance, to ‘stir up’ someone. †to pick feathers off (a person): to plunder. †to pull the feathers off (a person's fame): to detract from. to smooth one's rumpled feathers: to recover one's equanimity. to crop the feathers of: to strip of bravery and pomp. you could (or might) have knocked me (etc.) down with a feather (and similar expressions): used hyperbolically = I was much surprised, astounded, etc. Cf. white feather n.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > be in dissension or at variance [verb (intransitive)] > cause dissension
to make strife1303
to make the feathers flyc1430
to stir the coals1539
to make mischiefc1572
to blow the bellows1590
to blow the fire1670
to stir the pot1826
to stir (also rouse) the possum1900
to mix it1950
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > detract from [verb (transitive)]
to pull the feathers off (a person's fame)c1430
takec1475
spoil1553
to take away1779
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > expand or enlarge [verb (intransitive)]
greateOE
grow1382
enlarge1481
to gain more feathers1600
spread1611
burnish1624
sizea1631
dilate1636
greaten1638
expatiate1650
widen1650
biggen1652
expand1791
magnify1814
society > communication > information > rumour > [verb (transitive)] > (of a rumour) assume larger proportions
to gain more feathers1600
the mind > possession > poverty > make poor or impoverish [verb (transitive)] > by depredations or extortions
to poll and pill1528
to peel and poll1641
to pick feathers off (a person)1677
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > spoliation or depredation > despoil or prey upon [verb (transitive)]
reaveOE
stripa1225
pill?c1225
robc1225
peela1250
despoil1297
raimc1300
spoilc1330
spoila1340
to pull a finch (also pigeon, plover, etc.)c1387
despoil1393
preya1400
spoila1400
spulyiea1400
unspoila1400
riflec1400
poll1490
to pill and poll1528
to poll and pill1528
exspoila1530
pilyie1539
devour?1542
plume1571
rive1572
bepill1574
fleece1575
to prey over1576
pread1577
disvaledge1598
despoliate1607
to make spoil of1613
expilate1624
to peel and poll1641
depredate1651
violatea1657
disvalise1672
to pick feathers off (a person)1677
to make stroy of1682
spoliate1699
pilfer1714
snabble1725
rump1815
vampire1832
sweat1847
ploat1855
vampirize1888
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a small part or proportion > very
a drop in the (a) bucket or the oceana1382
two feathers out of a goose1677
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > expressing surprise [phrase]
it (or that) is (was, were, etc.) no wonder1362
it is (a) wondera1400
the wonder is‥1608
you could (or might) have knocked me (etc.) down with a feather1740
think1746
for a wonder1782
to hush one's mouth1903
you'd be surprised1926
the mind > emotion > humility > humiliation > humiliate [verb (transitive)]
anitherOE
fellOE
lowc1175
to lay lowc1225
to set adownc1275
snuba1340
meekc1350
depose1377
aneantizea1382
to bring lowa1387
declinea1400
meekenc1400
to pull downc1425
avalec1430
to-gradea1440
to put downc1440
humble1484
alow1494
deject?1521
depress1526
plucka1529
to cut (rarely to cast down) the comb of?1533
to bring down1535
to bring basec1540
adbass1548
diminish1560
afflict1561
to take down1562
to throw down1567
debase1569
embase1571
diminute1575
to put (also thrust) a person's nose out of jointc1576
exinanite1577
to take (a person) a peg lower1589
to take (a person) down a peg (or two)1589
disbasea1592
to take (a person) down a buttonhole (or two)1592
comb-cut1593
unpuff1598
atterr1605
dismount1608
annihilate1610
crest-fall1611
demit1611
pulla1616
avilea1617
to put a scorn on, upon1633
mortify1639
dimit1658
to put a person's pipe out1720
to let down1747
to set down1753
humiliate1757
to draw (a person's) eyeteeth1789
start1821
squabash1822
to wipe a person's eye1823
to crop the feathers of1827
embarrass1839
to knock (also take, etc.) (a person) off his or her perch1864
to sit upon ——1864
squelch1864
to cut out of all feather1865
to sit on ——1868
to turn down1870
to score off1882
to do (a person) in the eye1891
puncture1908
to put (a person) in (also into) his, her place1908
to cut down to size1927
flatten1932
to slap (a person) down1938
punk1963
the mind > emotion > calmness > be calm [phrase] > recover composure
to smooth one's rumpled feathers1853
c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1544) i. xii. 24 a Of his good fame she gan the feders pull.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. (1609) ix. xxxviii. 342 The brute..got more feathers still as it flew.
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 24 All that is, desired is but two Feathers out of their Goose.
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 25 The Lawyers Objections are only made..that they may pick some more Feathers off him.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. vii. 13 I was so confounded at these Words, you might have beat me down with a Feather.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. iv. 94 If my New York master..had hold o' him; he'd make the feathers fly.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan II. xxiii. 339 When they are at home..how the feathers fly!
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time I. v. 251 Vanity, With a good conscience pleased, her feathers cropped.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge lix. 283 ‘She's in an excited state to-night,’ said Simon, as he smoothed his rumpled feathers.
1843 [see sense 10a]. 1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel III. ix. xiii. 69 You might have knocked them down with a feather!
1924 C. Mackenzie Heavenly Ladder v. 75 At present you could knock me down on a feather, as old Mrs. Geary used to say, I'm that overgone by it all.
1930 W. S. Maugham Cakes & Ale vii. 89 When I..saw Rosie standing there, you could 'ave knocked me down with a feather.
1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 26 Sept. 5/5 You could have knocked me over with a feather.
c. Proverb.
ΚΠ
1714 B. Mandeville Fable Bees i. 103 Fine Feathers make fine Birds.
d. transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > ice > body of ice > [noun] > icicle > tiny feather-like
feather1785
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > frost > formations > specific
spicula1783
feather1785
frost-flower1802
frost-fern1860
1785 W. Cowper Task v. 26 The bents..fledged with icy feathers, nod superb.
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound iv. i. 134 Its plumes are as feathers of sunny frost.
2.
a. collective. Plumage; also transferred (of plants); and in figurative sense: Attire, ‘get-up’. all fowls in feather = birds of all feather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun] > collective or plumage
featherhama800
plumeOE
plumagec1395
feathera1400
shrouda1400
hacklea1450
plomaylec1475
pennage1591
gander's wool1600
feathering1721
plumery1795
plumeletage1855
the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > [noun] > leaves or foliage
shadec1000
leafOE
felourea1400
filourc1400
hair1551
leafage1599
foliage1601
umbrage1657
foliature1682
folia1730
greenery1826
leafery1834
feather1842
leafdom1856
leaf mass1857
greening1895
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun]
wearing?c1225
guisec1275
attire1382
habita1420
shapea1425
trick1542
fashion1544
trim1579
suit shape1598
garb1608
form1664
toilet1752
macaroni dressa1777
turn-out1812
style1814
set-out1834
get-up1842
rig1843
feather1854
model1859
make-up1883
a1400–50 Alexander 5604 Þar fand þai bridis..Of feþir fresch as any fame.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 343 All fowles in ffether fell þere vppon.
a1635 T. Randolph Amyntas ii. iii. 30 in Poems (1638) What's their Feather?
1842 Ld. Tennyson Talking Oak lxviii, in Poems (new ed.) II. 81 All grass of silky feather grow.
1842 G. Darling in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 10 Which proved to be the male in tolerable feather and condition.
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1855) II. iv. 34 I saw him in full clerical feather.
b. In figurative phrases. in fine, good, high, etc., feather: in good condition of health, spirits, etc. in full feather: see quots. Of the weather: high feather = brilliant condition. †a man of (the first) feather: one of (very) showy parts. to cut out of all feather: to take all ‘the shine’ out of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > smart person
a man of (the first) feather1592
pink1602
smart1709
flasher1755
swell1786
dasher1807
smarty1847
city slicker1914
Roy1960
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > showily or fancily dressed > in specific way
in full feather1834
Sundayfied1852
Sundayed1873
partified1928
power-dressed1984
the world > health and disease > [adjective] > of health: good > healthy
wholeeOE
isoundOE
i-sundfulc1000
ferec1175
soundc1175
fish-wholea1225
forthlyc1230
steadfasta1300
wella1300
safec1300
tidya1325
halec1330
quartc1330
well-faringc1330
well-tempered1340
well-disposeda1398
wealyc1400
furnished1473
mighty?a1475
quartful?c1475
good1527
wholesomea1533
crank1548
healthful1550
healthy1552
hearty1552
healthsome1563
well-affected?1563
disposed1575
as sound as a bell1576
firm1577
well-conditioned1580
sound1605
unvaletudinary1650
all right1652
valid1652
as sound as a (alsoany) roach1655
fair-like1663
hoddy1664
wanton1674
stout?1697
trig1704
well-hained1722
sprack1747
caller1754
sane1755
finely1763
bobbish1780
cleverly1784
right1787
smart1788
fine1791
eucratic1795
nobbling1825
as right as a trivet1835
first rate1841
in fine, good, high, etc., feather1844
gay1855
sprackish1882
game ball1905
abled1946
well-toned1952
a hundred per cent1960
oke1960
the mind > emotion > humility > humiliation > humiliate [verb (transitive)]
anitherOE
fellOE
lowc1175
to lay lowc1225
to set adownc1275
snuba1340
meekc1350
depose1377
aneantizea1382
to bring lowa1387
declinea1400
meekenc1400
to pull downc1425
avalec1430
to-gradea1440
to put downc1440
humble1484
alow1494
deject?1521
depress1526
plucka1529
to cut (rarely to cast down) the comb of?1533
to bring down1535
to bring basec1540
adbass1548
diminish1560
afflict1561
to take down1562
to throw down1567
debase1569
embase1571
diminute1575
to put (also thrust) a person's nose out of jointc1576
exinanite1577
to take (a person) a peg lower1589
to take (a person) down a peg (or two)1589
disbasea1592
to take (a person) down a buttonhole (or two)1592
comb-cut1593
unpuff1598
atterr1605
dismount1608
annihilate1610
crest-fall1611
demit1611
pulla1616
avilea1617
to put a scorn on, upon1633
mortify1639
dimit1658
to put a person's pipe out1720
to let down1747
to set down1753
humiliate1757
to draw (a person's) eyeteeth1789
start1821
squabash1822
to wipe a person's eye1823
to crop the feathers of1827
embarrass1839
to knock (also take, etc.) (a person) off his or her perch1864
to sit upon ——1864
squelch1864
to cut out of all feather1865
to sit on ——1868
to turn down1870
to score off1882
to do (a person) in the eye1891
puncture1908
to put (a person) in (also into) his, her place1908
to cut down to size1927
flatten1932
to slap (a person) down1938
punk1963
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > condition of
fairness1574
brightness1656
fineness1721
high feather1878
1592 T. Nashe Pierce Penilesse (Brit. Libr. copy) sig. G2 v You shall heare a Caualier of the first feather.
1668 J. Dryden Secret-love v. i. 52 A man of Garniture and Feather is above the dispensation of the Sword.
1781 G. Selwyn Let. in 15th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1897) App. vi. 505 He [sc. C. J. Fox] is in high feather.
1834 W. N. Glascock Naval Sketch-bk. 2nd Ser. I. 149 A lady in full feather approached the sentinel on the sward.
1842 H. Lawrence Let. 20 June in H. B. Edwardes & H. Merivale Life Sir H. Lawrence (1872) I. ix. 389 Havelock, in great feather, showed us round the fields of battle.
1844 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit liv. 615 Todgers's was in high feather.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour iii. xiii. 65 Our friend..was now in good feather; he had got a large price for his good-for-nothing horse.
1855 J. E. Cooke Ellie 476 No words can describe the serene effulgence of the Heartsease appearance, when in full feather, and high spirits.
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxxii. 286 I'm in wonderful feather.
1860 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang (ed. 2) 138 In full feather, rich.
1865 W. Scott in Reader No. 121. 452/3 She cut me out of all feather.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 327 Full feather, attired in best dress or uniform.
1878 T. Hardy Return of Native I. i. i. 8 In summer days of highest feather.
1886 S. Baring-Gould Court Royal xxiv Never was Mr. Rigsby in finer feather than at Court Royal.
1886 Graphic 30 Jan. 130/2 Watty, by reason of his office [of butler], was of course always ‘in full feather’.
c. Description of plumage; species (of bird). Often transferred in phrases of the same, that, every, etc. feather: = of the same, etc. kind or character. Proverb, birds of a feather flock together.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective]
ylikeeOE
likeOE
anlikeOE
accordanta1325
of a (also one) mouldc1330
kindred1340
lichy1370
likelyc1384
alikea1393
ontinkela1400
evenly?c1400
similable?a1440
semble1449
of a sort1463
seemable1501
uniform1548
resembled1553
self-like1556
like-natured1566
resembling1573
kindlike1579
of the same, that, every, etc. feather1581
resemblant1581
marrow1585
similar1586
like-seeming1590
twin-like1599
connatural1601
similary1610
semblativea1616
otherlike1620
like-shaped1640
connate1641
homogeneous1641
consimilar1645
congenerous1646
resemblancing1652
congeniousa1656
congenerate1657
equaliform1660
congenial1669
similitive1678
symbolizant1685
synonymous1690
of akin1723
consimilary1736
like-sized1742
cogeneric1777
alike as a row of pins1785
congenerica1834
Siamese1833
congener1867
lak1881
sorty1885
homoeomorphic1902
homogenized1958
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > in respect of kind [phrase] > of the same kind
birds of a feather1545
birds of a feather flock together1581
of the same, that, every, etc. feather1581
the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun] > species described by
feather1581
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 300 A Byrd of the same feather.
1599 R. Percyvall & J. Minsheu Spanish Gram. 83 Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.
1608 J. Day Humour out of Breath sig. F4v A whole brood of signets, and all of a feather.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Alaine A bird of his owne feather.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. i. 102 I am not of that Feather, to shake off My Friend when he must neede me. View more context for this quotation
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Trivmph of Faith (1845) 60 Fowls of a feather flock together.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico v. 121 Many of the Covenanters were birds of the same feather.
1665 J. Spencer Disc. Vulgar Prophecies 70 He knows good men are soonest decoyed by those which seem of a feather with themselves.
1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ Another Traveller! II. 48 Four hundred and fifty of them..will be of the misjudging feather.
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time I. v. 213 Birds of social feather helping each His fellow's flight.
1829 T. Carlyle German Playwrights in Foreign Rev. Jan. 98 Literary quacks of every feather.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 4 Ferns of all feather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > parts of or bird defined by > [noun] > wing or wings
featherhama800
featherc850
pensa1382
sail1590
c850 Martyrology Fragm. in Old Eng. Texts (1885) 177 Þa hi bæron to heofonum mid hiora fiðra flyhte.
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxvi. §2 Ic hæbbe swiþe swifte feþera.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxiii. 37 Swa seo henn hyre cicenu under hyre fyþeru [c1160 Hatton fiþera] gegaderað.
c1200 Vices & Virtues (1888) 101 Vnder ðare scadewe of ðine fiðeres.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 64/357 And feþerene to beren eow up-on heiȝ.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xvii. 12 He flow abouen þe feþirs of wyndes.
c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi iii. xxiii Ȝeue me feders of very liberte.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Sam. xxii. 11 He..appeared vpon the fethers of the wynde.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. i. viii. §15. 172 Iosephus gaue all Noahs children feathers, to carry them farre away.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 174 Be Mercurie, set feathers to thy heeles. View more context for this quotation
4. A feathered animal; a bird. Also collective. Feathered game.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > [noun] > bird
fowlOE
bird?c1225
wing1601
feathera1616
feather-monger1767
feathered friend1933
the world > animals > birds > wild or domestic birds > [noun] > game-bird > collective
fowls of warren1539
feathera1616
fowl1646
wing-game1879
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. i. 63 Like the Haggard, checke at euery Feather . View more context for this quotation
1684 R. Howlett School Recreat. 136 Your Setting-Dog must..love naturally to hunt Feathers.
1875 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports (ed. 12) i. i. vii. §7. 106 The true Sussex may easily be kept strictly to feather.
1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 24 Aug. 13/2 He wandered..slaying whatever of fur and feather came in his way.
II. As a detached object.† 6. A pen. Obsolete.
5.
a. Simply; also plural as a commodity.
ΚΠ
c1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 234 Smyre mid nire [i.e. niwre] feþere.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 1026 For..folde þer-on a lyȝt fyþer & hit to founs synkkez.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xii. 50 If men caste a fether þerin, it synkez to þe grund.
c1440 Anc. Cookery in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 469 And with a feder sprinke and spot the congour.
1605 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes II. §25 The Larke..while it playeth with the feather..is caught in the Fowlers net.
1608 Bp. J. Hall Epist. I. i. ix. 92 That was but as the Fowlers feather, to make mee stoope.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iii. i. 83 Looke, as I blow this Feather from my Face. View more context for this quotation
1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. xxvi. 404 The Feathers also from the same country.
1800 tr. E. J. B. Bouillon-Lagrange Man. Course Chem. II. 422 Feathers..give nearly the same products as hair.
1841 R. W. Emerson Prudence in Ess. 1st Ser. (London ed.) 237 Every thing in nature, even motes and feathers, go by law.
b. Proverb.
ΚΠ
1861 A. Leighton Curious Storied Trad. Sc. Life 2nd Ser. 263 There's aye feathers where the doo [doves] roosts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > other specific shapes > [noun] > object shaped like feather(s)
featherc1000
plume1730
aigrette1786
society > communication > writing > writing materials > writing instrument > [noun] > pen > quill pen
featherc1000
swan-pen1426
goose-quill1552
quill1552
goose-pena1616
pen1653
quill pen1725
crow-quill1740
twill1825
swan-quill1839
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xvi. 6 Nim þine feðere & site hraðe & writ fiftig.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 26 Feþeren [c1300 Otho Feþere] he [sc. Laȝamon] nom mid fingren.
1784 S. C. King in Med. Observ. & Inquiries VI. xxii. 231 I send you a feather or pen..extracted from the œsophagus of a man.
7. A portion, or (singular and plural) portions, of a feather attached to the base of an arrow, to direct its flight. Also collective.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > arrow > [noun] > feathered part > feathers
feathering1530
feather1622
plume1808
1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xxvi. 122 Their Arrowes finely pair'd, for Timber, and for Feather.
1661 R. Boyle Some Considerations Style Script. 90 Those Historical Circumstances..are like the Feathers that wing our Arrows.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. lxxxvii.* 324 Whether..the barbed dart..sticks not in their hearts..up to the very feathers.
1825 T. D. Fosbroke Encycl. Antiq. II. xiii. 613 They required nimble strong arrows, with a middling feather.
1869 C. Boutell tr. J. P. Lacombe Arms & Armour viii. 134 The shafts of these arrows were provided, near their base, with feathers, or with strips of leather.
8.
a. As a personal decoration; a plume, esp. in ostrich feather. Also collective. With the: = Prince of Wales feathers n. at Prince of Wales n. 1 flush feather: see quot. 1823.Prince of Wales feathers: see Prince of Wales n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > trimmings or ornamentation > feather
feather1473
1473 J. Warkworth Chron. 14 He..wered ane estryche feder.
c1600 Wriothesley's Chron. Eng. (1875) I. 51 Hattes of blake velwett and whyte feethers.
1615 J. Stephens Ess. & Characters (new ed.) 211 Hee stickes a feather in his Hat.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. iii. 25 They must..leaue those remnants Of Foole and Feather . View more context for this quotation
1745 E. Young Complaint: Night the Eighth 22 Not in the Feather, wave it e'er so high..Is Glory lodg'd.
1802 J. Wolcot Great Cry & Little Wool in Wks. (1812) V. 166 The tradesmen..proud of the feather.
1804 Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 2 503 The volunteers have..feathers as high..as those of the regular troops.
1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. Feather (Mil.), an ornamental mark worn by officers and soldiers on their caps and hats..the flush feather, a straight smooth feather worn by officers on the staff.
1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 27 Sept. 11/1 The Prince of Wales's feathers stand separate.
b. Phrases: a feather in the cap, hat: a decoration, mark of honour, literal and figurative (also elliptical); also †the badge of a fool; hence †Jack with the feather, a plume of feathers, for a trifling person. †to shake, wag the feather: to make a display of one's honours.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > vainglory > behave vaingloriously [verb (intransitive)]
to lift up the horn1570
to shake, wag the feather1581
to play the peacock1656
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > make ostentatious display or show off [verb (intransitive)]
brandishc1340
ruffle1484
braga1556
swash1556
flourish1563
flaunt1566
prank1567
prink1573
to shake, wag the feather1581
peacockize1598
air1605
display1608
to launch it out1608
flasha1616
to cut it out1619
flare1633
vapour1652
peacock1654
spark1676
to gallantrize it1693
bosh1709
glare1712
to cut a bosh1726
to show away1728
to figure away, off1749
parade1749
to cut a dashc1771
dash1786
to cut up1787
to cut a flash1795
to make, or cut, a splash1804
swank1809
to come out strong1825
to cut a spludge1831
to cut it (too) fat1836
pavonize1838
splurge1844
to do the grand1847
to cut a swath1848
to cut a splurge1860
to fan out1860
spread1860
skyre1871
fluster1876
to strut one's stuff1926
showboat1937
floss1938
style1968
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > foolish person, fool > [noun]
dizzyc825
cang?c1225
foolc1225
apec1330
mopc1330
saddle-goosec1346
mis-feelinga1382
foltc1390
mopec1390
fona1400
buffardc1430
fopc1440
joppec1440
fonda1450
fondlinga1450
insipienta1513
plume of feathers1530
bobolynec1540
dizzard1546
Little Witham?1548
nodc1563
dawkin1565
cocknel1566
nigion1570
niddicock1577
nodcock1577
cuckoo1581
Jack with the feather1581
niddipol1582
noddyship?1589
stirkc1590
fonkin1591
Gibraltar1593
fopper1598
noddypeak1598
coxcombry1600
simple1600
gowka1605
nup1607
fooliaminy1608
silly ass1608
dosser-head1612
dor1616
glow-worm1624
liripipea1625
doodle1629
sop1637
spalt1639
fool's head1650
buffle1655
Jack Adams1656
bufflehead1659
nincompoopc1668
bavian1678
nokes1679
foolanea1681
cod1699
hulver-head1699
nigmenog1699
single ten1699
mud1703
dowf1722
foolatum1740
silly billy1749
tommy noddy1774
arsec1785
nincom1800
silly1807
slob1810
omadhaun1818
potwalloper1820
mosy1824
amadan1825
gump1825
gype1825
oonchook1825
prawn1845
suck-egg1851
goosey1852
nowmun1854
pelican1856
poppy-show1860
buggerlugs1861
damfool1881
mudhead1882
yob1886
peanut head1891
haggis bag1892
poop1893
gazob1906
mush1906
wump1908
zob1911
gorm1912
goof1916
goofus1916
gubbins1916
dumb cluck1922
twat1922
B.F.1925
goofer1925
bird brain1926
berk1929
Berkeley1929
Berkeley Hunt1929
ding1929
loogan1929
stupido1929
poop-stick1930
nelly1931
droop1932
diddy1933
slappy1937
goof ball1938
get1940
poon1940
tonk1941
clot1942
yuck1943
possum1945
gobdaw1947
momo1953
nig-nog1953
plonker1955
weenie1956
nong-nong1959
Berkshire Hunt1960
balloon1965
doofus1965
dork1965
nana1965
shit-for-brains1966
schmoll1967
tosspot1967
lunchbox1969
doof1971
tonto1973
dorkus1979
motorhead1979
mouth-breather1979
wally1980
wally brain1981
der-brain1983
langer1983
numpty1985
sotong1988
fanny1995
fannybaws2000
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > one who is unimportant
unknownc1390
pawnc1450
semi-cipher?1550
bauble1570
Jack with the feather1581
nobody1583
winterling1585
squash1600
rush candle1628
niflec1635
nullity1657
nonentity1710
featherweight1812
underscrub1822
nyaff1825
small fish1836
no-account1840
little fish1846
peanut1864
commonplacer1874
sparrow-fart1886
Little Willie1901
pipsqueak1905
nebbish1907
pie-biter1911
blob1916
smallie1930
no-count1932
zilch1933
Mickey Mouse1935
muzhik1945
nerd1951
nothingburger1953
nerk1955
non-person1959
no-mark1982
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > one who is unimportant > insubstantial > frivolous or not serious
pickstraw1580
Jack with the feather1581
fiddler1591
fribble1610
trifler1612
fribbler1712
toyer1814
frivolist1884
namby-pamby1885
frivoller1889
footler1891
frivol1959
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > honour > [noun] > conferring of honour > an) honour(s) or distinction
worshipOE
mensk?c1225
pre-eminence1433
honoura1500
pre-eminency1555
a feather in the cap, hat1581
garland1591
honorarium1609
honorary1610
blushing honours1623
signal1655
gayness1670
honourability1694
honourable mention1797
special mention1886
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > [noun] > a source of credit or honour (to)
worshipeOE
honourc1325
glorya1382
diadem1526
credit1586
plume1605
honestation1629
reputation1653
a feather in the cap, hat1699
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) Pref. sig. A vjv Though a man shake the feather after the best fashion, and take upon him never so biglie, hee [etc.].
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. i. 93 What plume of fethers is he that indited this letter? View more context for this quotation
a1633 Flodden F. xii, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1889) III. vi. clxviii. 353 Jack with a feather was lapt all in leather.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. v. 205 He wore a feather in his cap, and wagg'd it too often.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew (at cited word) He has a Feather in his Cap, a Periphrasis for a Fool.
1734 Duchess of Portland in M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) I. 511 My Lord..esteems it a feather in his hat, that [etc.].
1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough III. 370 A Feather in his Cap, was the least that was expected for him.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I cxcix. 102 Their favour in an author's cap's a feather.
1825 A. Constable Let. 2 May in J. Constable Corr. (1962) 220 I expect your Barge Horse will do wonders for you—only think of the Medal, what a feather it is.
1875 A. Helps Social Pressure v. 70 It is always a feather in my cap when Cranmer condescends to approve of any part of anything I say.
1958 Times 22 Oct. 14/1 Had Slater collected these two feathers to go with yesterday's collection he would have had a memorable match.
1968 J. F. Straker SIN & Johnny Inch 211 Strip off if you feel like it; I reckon this has been quite a feather.
9. In plural. As material for filling bedding, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > other animal raw materials > [noun] > feathers
feathersa1657
flags1892
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > bedding > [noun] > mattress > filled with feathers > down or feathers for
feathersa1657
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Richard II clxxviii, in Poems (1878) III. 181 Richard..Sleeps on the feathers which himselfe had drest.
10.
a. Referred to as an object almost without weight, and capable of being moved with the greatest ease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > lightness > [noun] > that which is light > typically
feather1546
thistledown1868
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. xi. sig. Eiiv If your meete mate and you meete together, Than shall we see two men beare a fether.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. iii. 154 I am a Feather for each Wind that blows. View more context for this quotation
1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 28 A brain of feathers, and a heart of lead.
a1839 W. M. Praed Poems (1864) I. 232 Folly's breath..would not stir a feather.
1843 T. Hood Forge ii. xvi Fit for knocking down with a feather.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. vii. 80 She felt the weight of her boy as if it had been a feather.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxii. 307 Tita, who weighs about a feather and a half.
b. Hence: Anything of little strength or importance; a very small amount, a trifle. †(to be pleased) to a feather: to a nicety.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > extremely
like mada1375
with a mischief1538
(as) — as anything1542
with a vengeance1568
with a siserary1607
(to be pleased) to a feathera1616
in (the) extremea1616
with the vengeance1693
to a degree1740
like hell1776
like the devil1791
like winky1830
like billy-o1885
(like) seven shades of ——1919
like a bandit1943
on wheels1943
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > of little importance or trivial
gnatc1000
ball play?c1225
smalla1250
triflec1290
fly1297
child's gamec1380
motec1390
mitec1400
child's playc1405
trufferyc1429
toyc1450
curiosity1474
fly-winga1500
neither mass nor matins1528
boys' play1538
nugament1543
knack?1544
fable1552
nincety-fincety1566
mouse1584
molehill1590
coot1594
scoff1594
nidgery1611
pin matter1611
triviality1611
minuity1612
feathera1616
fillip1621
rattle1622
fiddlesticka1625
apex1625
rush candle1628
punctilio1631
rushlight1635
notchet1637
peppercorn1638
petty John1640
emptiness1646
fool-fangle1647
nonny-no1652
crepundian1655
fly-biting1659
pushpin1660
whinny-whanny1673
whiffle1680
straw1692
two and a plack1692
fiddle1695
trivial1715
barley-strawa1721
nothingism1742
curse1763
nihility1765
minutia1782
bee's knee1797
minutiae1797
niff-naff1808
playwork1824
floccinaucity1829
trivialism1830
chicken feed1834
nonsensical1842
meemaw1862
infinitesimality1867
pinfall1868
fidfad1875
flummadiddle1882
quantité négligeable1885
quotidian1902
pipsqueak1905
hickey1909
piddle1910
cream puff1920
squat1934
administrivia1937
chickenshit1938
cream puff1938
diddly-squat1963
non-issue1965
Tinkertoy1972
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) v. iii. 236 You boggle shrewdly, euery feather starts you. View more context for this quotation
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 376 They must be pleased to a feather.
a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 390 A straw and a feather shall forfeit all the Obligations in the World, in some Tempers.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Titter, to Laugh at a Feather.
1794 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) IV. 112 Rising at a feather against our friends.
c. = featherweight n. to ride a feather: see quot. 1823.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > people involved in horse racing > [noun] > rider > types of
feather1760
lightweight1773
welter1804
steeple hunter1830
a bad waster1833
steeplechaser1837
heavyweight1857
stoner1862
roper1870
point-to-pointer1929
jumping jockey1947
jump jockey1970
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > engage in horse racing [verb (intransitive)] > be weighed > weigh mounted
ride1701
to ride a feather1823
1760 R. Heber Horse Matches ix. 20 Mr. Turner's bay..5 years old, carrying a feather.
1822 Examiner 232/2 Dr. Ph-ll-m-re, very light, a feather, took the field on his new rat-tail mare.
1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang Boys under six stone are said to ‘ride a feather’.
III. Something resembling a feather.
11.
a. On human beings: A tuft or ridge of hair standing more or less upright.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > [noun] > tuft or ridge of
nosegayc1500
tusk1530
feathera1533
tussock1550
tush1570
flacket1589
tuz1693
coxcomb1843
comb1869
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxx. sig. Riii Arthur & Bawdwin..shoke theyr eares to put awaye the fethers fro their heyre.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 299 Feather..the curled bush of frizled heare (wherwith lusty gallant of late would seeme to counterfait this iolly feather.
1841 S. Warren Ten Thousand a-Year II. v What's a feather?.. You see, sir, 'tis when a small lot of hair on a gent's head will stick up, do all we can to try and get it down.
1851 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. June 680 He wore his hair cropped close, except just in front, where it formed what the hair-dresser called a feather.
b. On horses: (see quot. 1803). Also on other animals.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > coat > tuft or lock of hair
feather1566
fuke1688
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dog > [noun] > defined by coat > coat or hair
feather1878
pile1905
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > cow > [noun] > (miscellaneous) parts of
lully1688
huggin1740
feather1914
1566 T. Blundeville Arte of Rydynge (rev. ed.) i. ii. f. 3, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe The horse that hath an Ostriche fether..on his forheade..can neuer be euill horse.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Circhiello, that which is called a feather in a horse.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 7 Euery horse..hath a feather in his fore-head.
1682 London Gaz. No. 1692/4 A light Grey Nag..a Feather in the..Neck.
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. i. 7 Feathers, or different Turnings of the Hair, in several parts of a Horse's body.
1803 W. Taplin Sporting Dict. 248 Feather. The Centrical division, and different directions, of the surrounding hair in a horse's forehead is so called: they are also frequently seen upon the neck..the mane, and..the hind quarters, and are considered natural ornaments.
1878 C. Hallock Amer. Club List & Sportsman's Gloss. p. iv/2 Feather, the long, flowing hairs which adorn the legs of a dog.
1883 G. Stables Our Friend the Dog vii. 60 Feather, the long hair on chest, legs, and tail, &c., of some breeds. The hair generally.
1897 Outing 30 413/1 The coat [of the Russian wolfhound] is long.., forming a liberal ‘feather’ upon the legs, chest, belly and hindquarters.
1914 N.Z. Farmer Apr. Although the General Trend of the hair [sc. on the part between the hock and the vulva of a cow] is in an ascending direction there are variations on certain points where changes in the direction of the growth makes the hair stand up on ridges, sometimes forming figures. These variations are called feathers. There are in all seven feathers. 1 The Oval feather. 2 The Buttock feather. 3 The Babine feather. 4 The Vulvous feather. 5 The Bastard feather. 6 The Thigh feather. 7 The Dart feather.
1942 ‘M. Innes’ Daffodil Affair i. 30 ‘A nice dog,’ Appleby said... Mr. Gee swung round. ‘Dish-faced,’ he said... ‘Cow-hocked. No feather. Apple-headed. Pily’.
1954 E. Megargee Dog Dict. 47 There is abundant feather on the chest, belly, hindquarters, and legs [of a field spaniel].
c. The foamy crest of a wave. Cf. cut v. 38b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > [noun] > crest
ridgeOE
white nose1771
feather1838
crest1864
sea-cap1867
comb1886
soup1962
peak1963
1838 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 1 272/1 The feather only of each wave would be seen.
1896 Daily News 10 July 3/6 White feathers from their bows.
d. (See quot. 1929.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > types of waves > [noun] > small wave or ripple > left by protruding periscope
feather1929
1929 Papers Michigan Acad. Sci., Arts & Lett. 10 292 Feather, the wake or ripple left by a protruding periscope. The ‘feather’ was often visible when the periscope was not.
1943 ‘T. Dudley-Gordon’ Coastal Command 28 You may pass by the tell-tale feather of a periscope.
12. A blemish or flaw having a feather-like appearance:
a. in the eye.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of eye > [noun] > other marks or spots
spot1340
maculaa1400
nubecula1699
feather1847
conus1886
siderosis1892
the world > health and disease > ill health > deformity > deformities of specific parts > [noun] > of eyes
walleye1585
microphthalmy1721
microphthalmos1845
feather1847
cyclopia1849
heterophthalmy1854
irideremia1855
aniridia1860
aphakia1864
heterochromia1889
microphthalmia1890
anisocoria1902
hypertelorism1924
1847 C. J. Lever Knight of Gwynne xxxix. 335 He had only one [eye], there was a feather on the other.
b. in a precious stone.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > gem or precious stone > [noun] > flaw
ice1605
feather1866
1866 M. E. Braddon Lady's Mile 190 She had learned to discover a ‘feather’ in a fifty-guinea emerald ring.
1879 M. E. Braddon Vixen III. 293 I don't think there is a feather in one of the stones.
13. Confectionery. One of the degrees in boiling sugar. Also the great, little feather: see quots. Cf. French à la (grande, petite) plume.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > sugar manufacture > [noun] > stage in manufacture
bloom1825
feather1827
string point1909
1827 G. A. Jarrin Italian Confectioner (ed. 3) 3 Confectioners..have seven essential..bases of their art..4. La plume, the feather.
1827 G. A. Jarrin Italian Confectioner (ed. 3) 4 The larger and greater quantity of bubbles, when blown through the skimmer, are the large feather.
1827 G. A. Jarrin Italian Confectioner (ed. 3) 9 Boil to the feather some of the same clarified sugar.
1827 G. A. Jarrin Italian Confectioner (ed. 3) 60 Clarify a pound of loaf sugar, boil it to the large feather.
1829 G. A. Jarrin Italian Confectioner (ed. 4) 177 Take a pound of clarified sugar, boil to the little feather.
1883 Workshop Receipts 2nd Ser. 152 For the ‘feather,’ dip the skimmer again into the sugar, and blow through the holes as before.
14. In various phrases: (to wear) the bull's feather: see bull n.1 Compounds 3b. Nautical to cut a feather: see cut v. 38b. In quot. figurative. To move briskly.
ΚΠ
1684 T. Goddard Plato's Demon 317 Men who..have not the skill to cut a feather, very often dance themselves into that noose.
1821 W. Scott Pirate III. vii. 151 He shambles about..as well as ever he did—for Jack could never cut a feather.
15. In various technical uses.
a. A longitudinal rib added to a shaft, etc. to increase its strength.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > supporting rod > like a rib
riba1450
feather1814
tie-rib1896
1814 R. Buchanan Ess. Shafts of Mills i. 24 Apply the feathers merely to prevent bending in the middle.
1839 R. S. Robinson Naut. Steam Engine Explained 63 Z is a strengthening feather, under the crank frame.
1839 R. S. Robinson Naut. Steam Engine Explained 65 From the eye run six strong arched radii or feathers, terminating in a ledge.
1867 W. Papworth Gwilt's Encycl. Archit. (rev. ed.) ii. i. 435 Transverse ribs or feathers on cast iron beams are to be avoided.
b. Mining and Quarrying. (see quot.)
ΚΠ
1865 J. T. F. Turner Familiar Descr. Old Delabole Slate Quarries 13 A hole is jumped in the block [of slate] near the edge; in this, two slightly curved pieces of iron are placed (the ‘feathers’), having the concave surfaces toward each other, between them is inserted an iron punch; this is forcibly hammered in, and breaks the stone asunder.
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining Feathers. [Describes a similar contrivance in coal mines.]
c. A projection on a board, implement, or piece of machinery; esp. one intended to fit into some other part. Cf. fin n.1
ΚΠ
1762 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. ii. vii. 190 The firm earth..is opened by the feather of the other soke.
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. I. 828/1 Feather, a slip inserted longitudinally into a shaft or arbor, and projecting as a fin therefrom so as to fit a groove.
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. I. 828/1 Feather, a tongue on the edge of a board.
1881 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (ed. 4) 140 There is a feather in the straight part of the mandrel hole.
d. Salt-works. (see quot. 1753).
ΚΠ
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Mid-Feather in the English salt-works, the name given to a sort of partition placed in the middle of the furnace..This partition divides the body of the furnace into two chambers.
e. dialect. ‘A linch-pin; a pin used to keep machinery tight’ (E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. 1877).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > other parts > [noun] > devices for securing or uniting parts
key1434
chevel-bolt1480
strop1573
gimbals1577
gimmals1598
gimmera1603
strap1620
bridle1667
key band1735
screw-joint1810
locking plate1812
safety pin1822
king bolt1839
square coupling1845
holding-down bolt1846
ball joint1849
pinholder1854
knuckle-joint1860
bayonet-joint1870
elbow1874
fox-key1874
split-pin1875
cotter-pin1881
elbow-joint1881
banjo-frame1888
holding-down pin1892
holding-down ring1899
feather1908
banjo union1922
1908 Westm. Gaz. 28 May 4/2 The gear-wheels are mounted on shafts, each having four ‘feathers’.
IV. [Properly a distinct word: < feather v.]
16. Rowing. The action of feathering. See feather v. 11.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [noun] > rowing > feathering oar
feather1865
1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 16 May 10 Oxford and Cambridge styles used to be palpably different to the eye by the height of the feather.
1884 St. James's Gaz. 28 Mar. 6/2 The feather was cleaner than that of Cambridge.
1885 Manch. Guard. 28 Mar. 6/6 The feather is exquisitely even, and this is the best point in their rowing.
Compounds
General attributive. C1. General combinations:
a. Simple attributive.
feather boa n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [noun] > scarf or wrap > other
orhni1678
cravat1828
tie1860
feather boa1895
1895 Army & Navy Co-op. Soc. Price List 15 Sept. 1041 Black and Coloured Feather Boas.
1902 Queen 15 Feb. Advt. 2nd sheet Lace Berthes and Feather Boas.
feather-bolster n.
ΚΠ
1533 in J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Agric. & Prices (modernized text) III. 573/4 Feather bolster 5/-.
feather-brush n.
ΚΠ
1856 W. Collins Yellow Mask iii. v, in After Dark 355 He was dusting his favourite busts..with a feather-brush when she came in.
feather club n.
ΚΠ
1899 R. Whiteing No. 5 John St. x. 101 A Feather Club is an institution for supplying our younger womankind with..ostrich plumes for their hats.
feather-embroidery n.
ΚΠ
1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. ii. viii. 355 Beautiful mantles of the plumaje, or feather embroidery.
feather-fan n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > air > fresh air > [noun] > supplying fresh air or ventilation > fan > hand-held or portable > other types of
punkah1663
colmar1727
peacock fan1853
feather-fan1864
blow-george1873
uchiwa1877
1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 66 Cooling her false cheek with a featherfan.
feather-flower n.
ΚΠ
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Feather-flowers, artificial flowers made of feathers..used by ladies for head ornaments and for fancy plumes.
feather-guise n.
ΚΠ
1889 R. B. Anderson tr. V. Rydberg Teutonic Mythol. 60 In the Norse mythology several goddesses..have..feather-guises.
feather-merchant n.
ΚΠ
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Feather-merchant, an importer or wholesale dealer in feathers.
feather-pattern n.
ΚΠ
1883 W. G. Collingwood Philos. Ornament iv. 85 Barbaric annulets, zigzags, feather-patterns, are found upon early vases.
feather-plume n.
ΚΠ
1885 A. M. Clerke Pop. Hist. Astron. 83 Feather-plumes or aigrettes.
feather-tract n.
ΚΠ
1878 F. J. Bell tr. C. Gegenbaur Elements Compar. Anat. 419 The arrangement also of these first rudiments of the feathers in definite areas (feather-tracts, pterylia).
b. Objective.
(a)
feather-beater n.
ΚΠ
1855 H. Clarke New Dict. Eng. Lang. Feather-beater, feather cleanser.
feather-cleanser n.
ΚΠ
1855 H. Clarke New Dict. Eng. Lang. Feather-beater, feather cleanser.
feather-dresser n.
ΚΠ
1647 L. Haward Charges Crown Revenue 26 Feather-dresser: Fee—13. 6. 8.
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Feather-dresser.
feather-dryer n.
ΚΠ
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Feather-drier.
feather-finisher n.
ΚΠ
1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon II. ii. vi. 46 Sign-writers, feather-finishers and the like.
feather-seller n.
ΚΠ
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Featherseller, one who sells feathers for beds.
(b)
feather-bearing adj.
ΚΠ
c1050 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 465 Penniger, feþerberend.
1881 St. G. Mivart Cat 377 The feather-bearing side of the hand.
c. Instrumental.
feather-cinctured adj.
ΚΠ
1757 T. Gray Ode I ii. ii, in Odes 8 Their feather-cinctured Chiefs, and dusky Loves.
1829 Gen. P. Thompson in Westm. Rev. 11 229 Some feather-cinctured sage.
feather-clouded adj.
ΚΠ
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 136 His feather-clouded Crest.
feather-tasselled adj.
ΚΠ
1883 Good Words 24 113 Gorgeous articles of native dress feather-tasseled, shell-fringed, coral-beaded.
d. Parasynthetic and similative.
(a)
feather-legged adj.
ΚΠ
1872–4 L. Wright Poultry xi. 129 The chickens were feather-legged.
feather-light adj.
ΚΠ
c1837 T. Hood Ode to My Son i With spirits feather-light.
feather-like adj.
ΚΠ
1776 W. Withering Bot. Arrangem. Veg. Great Brit. I. 680 Little feather-like shoots rising single from the base of the leaves.
1807 T. Thomson Syst. Chem. (ed. 3) II. 270 Long, slender, flat, feather-like crystals.
feather-nerved adj.
ΚΠ
1840 J. Paxton Pocket Bot. Dict. Feather-nerved, the nerves disposed like the feathers of a pen.
feather-soft adj.
ΚΠ
1923 E. Sitwell Bucolic Comedies 38 The goose-girl smoothed down her feather-soft Breast.
feather-tailed adj.
ΚΠ
1883 F. M. Crawford Mr. Isaacs ii Small head, small feet, and feather-tailed.
feather-thick adj.
ΚΠ
1884 R. Browning Ferishtah's Fancies (1885) 122 Snow, feather-thick, is falling while I feast.
feather-veined adj.
ΚΠ
1861 R. Bentley Man. Bot. i. iii. 152 Feather-veined..In these the midrib gives off lateral veins which proceed at once to the margins, and are connected by numerous branching veinlets.
1876 J. H. Balfour in Encycl. Brit. IV. 110 Veins going directly to the margin and forming feather-veined leaves (Oak and Chestnut).
feather-white adj.
ΚΠ
1883 W. C. Russell Sailors' Lang. Feather-white sea, said of the sea when covered with foam.
feather-witted adj.
ΚΠ
1930 W. de la Mare On the Edge 295 That black-eyed, painted-up, feather-witted little Italian Countess.
(b)
feather-wise adj.
ΚΠ
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. (1609) x. xxix. 373 b Opposing their targuets before them, raunged and joined one over another featherwise.
C2.
a. Special combinations. Also feather-bed n., feather-edge n., feather-footed adj., etc. † feather-cock n. Obsolete a coxcomb.† feather-driver n. Obsolete (a) = quill-driver n., (b) ‘one who cleanses feathers by whisking them about’ (Johnson).† feather-glory n. Obsolete light and transitory glory.Apparently an isolated use.† feather-lock n. Scottish Obsolete a spring-lock.† feather-peeper n. Obsolete ? tips of feathers decorating a headdress.† feather-staff n. Obsolete a light kind of halbert. † feather-wife n. Obsolete a woman whose duty it was to prepare feathers for use.† feather-worker n. Obsolete one who prepares feathers.
feather-alum n. [compare German Federalaun (mid 16th cent.)] ferroso-aluminic sulphate or halotrichite.The name feather alum has been applied also to magnesia alum and alunogen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > sulphates > [noun] > alum > feather alum
alum plumec1425
plume alum1600
feather-alum1693
plumose alum1732
alunogen1834
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. lii. 425 Do not here instance in competition with this Sacred Herb the Feather Allum.
1863–72 H. Watts Dict. Chem. II. 617 Feather-alum, a name applied to native hydrated sulphate of aluminum..and to native iron-alum or halotrichite..both of which occur in delicate fibrous crystals or masses.
feather ball n. a golf-ball stuffed with feathers (cf. feathery adj. 4).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > golf > equipment > [noun] > ball > types of
floater1717
gutta1857
feathery1881
gutty1881
putty1881
feather ball1893
repaint1917
1893 H. G. Hutchinson Golfing 4 All this went on before the days of gutta-percha. Men played with ‘feather balls’—that is, balls of leather stuffed..tightly with feathers.
feather-bird n. dialect the Whitethroat ( Sylvia cinerea).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > family Muscicapidae (thrushes, etc.) > subfamily Sylviidae (warbler) > [noun] > genus Sylvia > sylvia communis (whitethroat)
whey-beard1614
glut1661
muff1661
whitethroat1673
nettle-monger1712
whitethroat warbler1817
whey-bird1825
muggy1829
nettle-tom1830
muffit1837
mufty1837
nettle creeper1845
feather-bed1854
jackstraw1879
feather-bird1885
mealy-mouth1885
miller1885
muffya1886
1885 C. Swainson Provinc. Names Brit. Birds 23 Feather bird.
feather-boarding n. a covering of boards which thin off towards the lower edge, and overlap like a bird's feathers.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > surfacing or cladding > [noun] > cladding with boards or panels > work consisting of
clapboarding1767
feather-boarding1846
1846 J. C. Loudon in J. E. Worcester Universal Dict. Eng. Lang. Feather-boarding.
Categories »
feather-bog n. a quagmire, dialect. (Halliwell 1847).
feather-cling n. Scottish a disease among cattle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of cattle > [noun] > other disorders of cattle
murrainc1450
gall1577
gargyse1577
sprenges1577
wisp1577
closh1587
milting1587
moltlong1587
hammer1600
mallet1600
scurvy1604
wither1648
speed1704
nostril dropping1708
bladdera1722
heartsick1725
throstling1726
striking1776
feather-cling1799
hollow-horn1805
weed1811
blood striking1815
the slows1822
toad-bit1825
coast-fever1840
horn-distemper1843
rat's tail1847
whethering1847
milk fever1860
milt-sickness1867
pearl tumour1872
actinomycosis1877
pearl disease1877
rat-tail1880
lumpy jaw1891
niatism1895
cripple1897
rumenitis1897
Rhodesian fever1903
reticulitis1905
barbone1907
contagious abortion1910
trichomoniasis1915
shipping fever1932
New Forest disease1954
bovine spongiform encephalopathy1987
BSE1987
mad cow disease1988
East Coast fever2009
1799 Prize Ess. Highl. Soc. Scot. II. 218 Feather Cling..is occasioned by want of water in very dry summers or in the hard frosts of winters.
feather-cloth n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > made from mixed fibres > [noun] > cloth and feathers
feather-cloth1882
1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward Dict. Needlework 203/1 Feather Cloth. A mixture of cloth and feathers woven together.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > dandy
popa1500
miniona1513
prick-me-daintya1529
puppy?1544
velvet-coat1549
skipjack1554
coxcomb1567
musk cat?1567
physbuttocke1570
Adonis?1571
Adon1590
foretop1597
musk-cod1600
pretty fellow1600
sparkc1600
spangle-baby1602
flash1605
barber-monger1608
cocoloch1610
dapperling1611
fantastica1613
feather-cock1612
trig1612
jack-a-dandy?1617
gimcrack1623
satinist1639
powder puffa1653
fop1676
prig1676
foplinga1681
cockcomb1684
beau garçona1687
shape1688
duke1699
nab1699
smirk1699
beau1700
petty master1706
moppet1707
Tom Astoner1707
dapper1709
petit maître1711
buck1725
toupee1727
toupet1728
toupet-man1748
jemmy1753
jessamy1753
macaroni1764
majoc1770
monkeyrony1773
dandyc1780
elegant1780
muscadin1794
incroyable1797
beauty man1800
bang-up1811
natty1818
ruffian1818
exquisite1819
heavy swell1819
marvellous1819
bit of stuff1828
merveilleux1830
fat1832
squirt1844
dandyling1846
ineffable1859
guinea pig1860
Dundreary swell1862
masher1872
dude1877
mash1879
dudette1883
dand1886
heavy gunner1890
posh1890
nut1904
smoothie1929
fancy-pants1930
saga boy1941
fancy Dan1943
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > conceit > [noun] > conceited person
coxcomb1567
snipper-snappera1593
conceited1596
feather-cock1612
turkey-cocka1616
cockcomb1684
egotist1715
fop1755
fat1832
swell-head1845
swelled head1862
big-head1863
swollen head1898
Jack Strop1910
trombenik1922
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > vanity > [noun] > vain person
puppy?1544
self-lover1555
coxcomb1567
feather-cock1612
self-admirer1633
self-idolater1643
cockcomb1684
peachick1693
worship-willer1721
narcissus1767
narcissist1917
1612 Mr. King tr. Benvenuto Passenger i. i. 19 Muskats, syrenists, feathercockes.
feather-curler n. one employed in curling feathers.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > workers with specific materials > workers with other animal materials > [noun] > with feathers
plumassier1589
feather-monger1599
pluminarya1631
plumist1812
feather-curler?1881
?1881 Census Eng. & Wales: Instr. Clerks classifying Occupations & Ages (?1885) 79 Feather..Curler.
1895 Daily News 4 Apr. 5/6 Earning fifteenpence a day as a feather-curler.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > writer > [noun] > professional writer
writereOE
bookerOE
markerOE
scrivein?1208
scrivener1218
scrieverc1425
pen-clerk?c1430
scribe1435
scrivan1511
penman1552
scrivano1581
feather-driver1593
scriptora1600
Khoja1625
quill man1648
conicopoly1680
quill-driver1700
escrivain1744
sirkar1828
penworker1876
society > leisure > the arts > literature > writer or author > [noun] > inferior writer
scribblera1556
paper-blurrera1586
by-writer1587
feather-driver1593
squitter-book1594
paper-stainer1596
blur-paper1603
spoil-paper1610
penster1611
inkhorn matea1616
squitter-wit1615
ink-dabbler1616
squitter-pulpa1640
quill-driver1700
scribble-scrabble1707
authorling1752
writerling1802
inkhorn varlet1820
toe-writer1845
pen-driver1854
anonymuncule1859
ink-jerker1865
pen-pusher1875
pseudonymuncle1875
ink-spiller1881
ink-slinger1887
blotter-
1593 T. Nashe Strange Newes K 1 b The onely feather-driuer of phrases and putter of a good word to it when thou hast once got it.
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. vi. vii. 152 A Feather-Driver, who had these Bladders filled with the fine Dust or Down of Feathers.
feather-duster n. (a) a brush made of feathers, used for dusting; (b) (U.S. slang) an American Indian (offensive).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > dusting > [noun] > implements
dusting-cloth1667
dust-cloth1727
dustera1748
dustpan1785
feather-duster1858
selvyt1891
plumet1902
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Feather-duster.
1907 C. E. Mulford Bar-20 ix. 103 I had a little argument with some feather dusters.
feather-eyed adj. ? having a ‘feather’ ( 12a) in one's eye.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > deformity > deformities of specific parts > [adjective] > of eye
wall-eyeda1400
wolden-eiȝeda1400
ringle-eyed1586
feather-eyeda1640
silver-eyed1695
cyclopian1839
aphakic1889
heterochromic1911
a1640 J. Day & H. Chettle Blind-beggar (1659) sig. D2v So feather-ey'd ye cannot let us passe in the Kings high way?
feather-foot n. a foot as light as a feather, in quot. figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > lightness > [noun] > that which is light > specific
feather-foot1821
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 209 The breeze with feather-feet, Crimping o'er the waters sweet.
ΚΠ
a1626 L. Andrewes Serm. (1856) I. 31 Glory, not like ours here feather-glory.
feather-heeled adj. = feather-footed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [adjective] > having specific manner of walking > light-footed
lightOE
light-footeda1425
lightfoot1440
feather-footed1565
tripping1567
nimble-footed1592
soft-foot1598
light-heeled1600
soft-footed1603
soft-footed1607
nimble-heeled1656
quick-foot1658
feather-heeleda1674
tickle-heeled1740
nimble-stepping1832
tripsome1846
twinkle-toed1960
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [adjective] > unchaste or sexually compliant (of women)
strumpeta1382
jadish1573
comingc1576
short heeled1591
loose in the hilts1598
loose-legged1598
loose-tailed1598
light-tailed1600
overscutched1600
stuprous1603
light-skirted1607
brothelly1608
light-heeled1611
wagtailed1648
loose-hilteda1652
feather-heeleda1674
loose-gowneda1717
frank1744
shake-tail1782
(a woman) of a certain description1803
hetaeric1868
round-heeled1926
floozy?1930
trampy1944
slack1951
slaggy1973
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > [adjective] > bright, sparkling
bright1619
sparkling1701
scintillating1793
scintillous1826
feather-heeled1840
pétillant1902
a1674 in C. Mackay Coll. Songs London Prentices (1841) 66 The feather-heel'd wenches that live by their owne.
1840 T. Hood Up Rhine 94 The wit of the Germans is not feather-heeled.
feather-joint n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1874 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Feather-joint, a mode of joining the edges of boards by a fin or feather let into opposite mortises on the edges of the boards.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > lock > spring-lock
spring lock1366
feather-lock1478
1478 Act. Audit. 82 That Schir Jhone..pay for..a fethir lok xviii d.
feather-mail n. the dress of feathers resembling a coat of mail worn by the Indians of Mexico, prior to the Spanish conquest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > made from specific material > other > article of
linsey-woolsey1483
kelter1562
buffin1572
marry-muff1604
tiffany1606
camlet1623
grogram1633
pepper-and-salt1774
toilenette1790
zephyrine1820
feather-mail1843
alpaca1853
khaki1857
ramie1899
marocain1922
sharkskin1957
Ultrasuede1973
1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. iii. ii. 427 The like colors on the feather-mail of the Indians, showed that they were the warriors of Xicotencatl.
feather-monger n. one who deals in feathers, also transferred of a bird.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trader > traders or dealers in specific articles > [noun] > in feathers
plumer1282
feather-maker1580
feather-monger1599
feathermana1635
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > workers with specific materials > workers with other animal materials > [noun] > with feathers
plumassier1589
feather-monger1599
pluminarya1631
plumist1812
feather-curler?1881
the world > animals > birds > [noun] > bird
fowlOE
bird?c1225
wing1601
feathera1616
feather-monger1767
feathered friend1933
1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 51 Some fowler with his nets (as this host of fethermungers were getting vp to ride double) inuolued or intangled them.
1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ Another Traveller! II. 147 The open~hearted feather-monger.
feather-mosaic n. patterns worked in feathers.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > [noun] > work in specific medium
bonework1557
shell-work1611
rockwork1615
feather-work1665
quillwork1688
boss-work1697
ice work1729
wafer-work1789
filigree paper1800
feather-mosaic1843
cut paper1847
plumagery1854
leather-work1856
graffito1863
cuerda seca1911
papercraft1917
barbola1927
rosemaling1933
cuenca1939
penwork1969
1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. i. vi. 180 The arts of working in metals, jewelry, and feather-mosaic.
feather-ore n. Mineralogy (see quot. 1863-72).
ΚΠ
1776 J. Seiferth tr. C. E. Gellert Metallurgic Chym. 41 Feather ore consists of the smallest capillary-like feathers.
1863–72 H. Watts Dict. Chem. II. 617 Feather ore, this name is applied to the capillary form of native sulphantimonite of lead.
feather-painting n. the art of using feathers of various colours in place of pigments.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > other visual arts > [noun] > feather-painting
feather-painting1843
1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. i. v. 145 Count Carli is in raptures with a specimen of feather-painting which he saw in Strasbourg.
feather-pated adj. = feather-headed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > foolishness, folly > giddiness, empty-headedness > [adjective]
idlec825
giddyc1000
volage?a1366
apec1370
foolisha1382
vain1390
idleful1483
volageous1487
glaikit1488
cock-brained1530
apish1532
empty1550
sillyc1555
frivolous?1563
tickle-headed1583
light-braineda1593
frothy1593
owlish1596
bird-witted1605
empty-headed1614
idle-headed1614
empty-pateda1628
marmosetical1630
grollish1637
feather-headed1647
nonsense1647
whirl-crowned1648
feather-brained1649
swimmering1650
soft-pated1651
weather-headeda1652
shuttlecock1660
drum-headed1664
chicken-brained1678
halokit1724
desipient1727
shatter-pated1727
scattered-brained1747
light-thoughted1777
scatter-brained1804
shandy-pated1806
hellicat1815
feather-pated1819
inane1819
weather-brained1826
bubble-headed1827
tomfoolish1838
bird-brained1892
tottle1894
fluffy1898
scatty1911
wandery1912
scattery1924
twitterpated1943
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe III. iv. 94 The feather-pated giddy fools.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > parts of headgear > [noun] > other
bouta1300
locketa1350
flipe1530
tarf1545
corneta1547
round tire1560
scuffe1599
lappet1601
mirror1601
flandana1685
rose1725
rounding1732
feather-peeper1757
screed1788
valance1791
busby-bag1807
cointise1834
wing1834
kredemnon1850
havelock1861
cache-peigne1873
pullover1875
stocking-foot1921
grummet1953
1757 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) III. 467 Madame Godineau in a round card cap of black lace..it was a pity ‘feather-peepers’ were not added to the cap.
feather-pie n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > sowing and planting equipment > [noun] > bird-scarer
scarlec1440
scare1530
blencher1531
shail1531
fray-boggard1535
crow-keeper1562
malkinc1565
clacket1594
scarecrow1606
clap-mill1613
field keeper1620
shaw-fowl1621
bean-shatter1639
clapper1660
dudman1670
clack1678
hobidy-booby?1710
worricow1711
cherry-clapper1763
flay-crake1788
potato-bogle1815
cherry-clack1824
feather-piea1825
flay-crow1824
gally-baggar1825
gally-crow1825
bogle1830
tatie-bogle1838
shewel1888
scare-string1889
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > causing physical symptoms > [noun] > scarecrow or device for scaring birds
buga1425
scarlec1440
scare1530
blencher1531
shail1531
fray-boggard1535
malkinc1565
clacket1594
bogle-bo1603
scarecrow1606
blinks1611
clap-mill1613
shaw-fowl1621
dudman1670
hobidy-booby?1710
cherry-clapper1763
flay-crake1788
potato-bogle1815
cherry-clack1824
feather-piea1825
flay-crow1824
gally-baggar1825
gally-crow1825
bogle1830
deadman1839
hodmandod1881
scarer1930
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Feather-pie, a hole in the ground, filled with feathers fixed on strings, and kept in motion by the wind. An excellent device to scare birds.
feather-poke n. (a) a bag of feathers, (b) applied to the Willow Warbler ( Phylloscopus trochilus), the Long-tailed Titmouse ( Acredula rosea), and the Wren ( Motacilla troglodytes), perhaps from the appearance of their nests.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > bedding > [noun] > pillow or bolster > filled with feathers
feather-poke1558
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > arboreal families > [noun] > family Aegithalidae > genus Aegithalos (long-tailed titmouse)
poke bag1663
pudding-poke1684
bottle tom1802
bottle tit1817
bumbarrel1817
feather-poke1831
mufflin1837
jack-in-a-bottle1838
pettichaps1851
poke pudding1851
Long Tom1853
muffler1868
hedge-jug1881
ragamuffin1885
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > non-arboreal (larks, etc.) > [noun] > family Troglodytidae > genus Troglodytes > species troglodytes (wren)
wrenc725
little kingc1450
Our Lady's hena1529
jenny wren1648
regulus1678
tope1813
staga1825
kitty1825
feather-poke1831
robin1837
robin redbreasta1873
jenny1881
St. Kilda wren1884
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > family Muscicapidae (thrushes, etc.) > subfamily Sylviidae (warbler) > [noun] > genus Phylloscopus > species trochilus (willow-warbler)
willow-wren1766
wood-wren1794
feather-poke1831
ground-wren1837
willow-warbler1846
feather-bed1854
mealy-mouth1885
sally picker1885
ox-eye1888
1558 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 170 Two federpoks, two payre of harne sheits, two cou'letts [i.e. couerletts].
1831 W. Howitt Bk. Seasons 91 The little willow-wren builds an oval nest after the fashion of the common wren and the feather-poke.
1839 A. Bywater Sheffield Dial. 171 It's just loik thrustin yer hand up tot rist into a feather poke nest.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. When it snows we say ‘t'owd woman is shackin' her feather-poke’.
1885 C. Swainson Provinc. Names Brit. Birds 26 Willow warbler..Feather poke.
1885 C. Swainson Provinc. Names Brit. Birds 32 British Long-tailed Titmouse..Feather poke.
1888 S. O. Addy Gloss. Words Sheffield Feather poke, the wren.
feather-process n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1878 F. J. Bell tr. C. Gegenbaur Elements Compar. Anat. 419 The first sign of the feather is the growth of the knobs into papilliform processes (feather-processes).
feather-pulp n. the pulp or matrix from which the feather is formed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun] > part of
pen1381
quill?a1425
dowlc1535
rib1545
web1575
pilec1600
twill1664
beard1688
pinion1691
vane1713
shaft1748
beardlet1804
medulla1826
barb1835
barbule1835
stem1845
feather-pulp1859
aftershaft1867
barbicel1869
filament1870
vexillum1871
scape1872
rachis1874
harl1877
calamus1878
radius1882
ramus1882
scapus1882
cilia1884
1859 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. V. 480/1 On the surface of the feather-pulp a series of ridges are developed.
feather-shot copper n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1869 Eng. Mech. 31 Dec. 388/1 Bean..and feather shot copper [is made] by pouring [melted copper] into cold water.
feather-spray n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > types of waves > [noun] > other
way1578
wake1753
clean, clear breach1867
feather-spray1867
south-western1872
bow-wave1877
gravity wave1877
blind roller1888
gravitational wave1899
Kelvin wave1922
rooster tail1934
slide1935
bow shock1938
beacher1956
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Feather spray, such as is observed at the cutwater of fast steamers, forming a pair of wing feathers.
feather-spring n. the spring in a gun-lock which causes the sear, which holds the hammer at full or half cock, to catch in the notch of the tumbler.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > lock > other parts of lock
scutcheon1631
bridle1771
bridle pin1799
feather-spring1807
comb1867
detant1884
1807 Sporting Mag. 29 207 Mr. Meredith's pistol had no feather spring.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. iii. 95 The Recruit..is to take it..near the lock, his little finger touching the feather-spring.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > halberd > [noun]
weyc1275
poleaxe1294
billc1300
glaivec1450
langue de boeuf1450
halberd1497
budgea1522
brown-bill1589
ox-tongue1611
partisan1611
Lochaber axe1618
feather-staff1622
halberd staff1687
battle-axe1709
ko1923
1622 F. Markham Five Decades Epist. of Warre iv. iv. 135 The only weapons for a Captaine, are a faire Feather-staffe in the time of Peace.
feather-star n. a starfish ( Comatula rosacea).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > phylum Echinodermata > [noun] > division Pelmatozoa > class Crinoidea > family Comasteridae > genus Comatula > member of
feather-star1862
1862 D. T. Ansted & R. G. Latham Channel Islands ii. ix. 237 The feather-star (comatula rosacea), represents the crinoids.
feather-stick n. a stick covered with feathers.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > other specific types of equipment > [noun] > other tools and equipment
pollhache1324
poleaxe1356
muckrake1366
pestlea1382
botea1450
staff1459
press-board1558
reel1593
water crane1658
lathekin1659
tower1662
dressing hook1683
liner1683
hovel1686
flax-brake1688
nipper1688
horse1728
tap1797
feather-stick1824
bow1839
safety belt1840
economizer1841
throttle damper1849
cleat1854
leg brace1857
bark-peeler1862
pugging screw1862
nail driver1863
spool1864
turntable1865
ovate1872
tension bar1879
icebreaker1881
spreader1881
toucher1881
window pole1888
mushroom head1890
rat1894
slackline1896
auger1897
latch hook1900
thimble1901
horse1904
pipe jack1909
mulcher1910
hand plate1911
splashguard1917
cheese-cutter1927
airbrasive1945
impactor1945
fogger1946
1824 W. J. Burchell Trav. Interior S. Afr. II. 579 The feather-stick often renders the natives important service.
feather-top n. nickname of a parrot (also attributive = feather-topped adj.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [adjective] > wig
full dress1761
feather-top1775
feather-toppeda1777
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > practice of wearing artificial hair > [noun] > artificial hair > curled or frizzed
frowze1563
frizzle1618
frizz1668
feather-top1775
fuzz-wig1848
the world > animals > birds > perching birds > order Psittaciformes (parrots, etc.) > [noun] > parrot
popinjaya1387
psittac?a1425
parrota1529
Poll1600
coxcomb bird1734
poll-parrot1768
Polly1826
anthropoglot1828
feather-top1891
psittacine1949
1775 D. Garrick Bon Ton Prol. The Tyburn scratch, thick club, and Temple tye, The parson's feather-top, frizz'd broad and high!
1786 A. M. Bennett Juvenile Indiscretions I. 185 His nice feather-top-wig.
1891 Sc. Leader 24 Oct. 4 The antique feather-top screamed the same phrases twelve months ago at Mr. Colston.
feather-topped adj. (of a wig) frizzed at the top (see 11).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [adjective] > wig
full dress1761
feather-top1775
feather-toppeda1777
a1777 S. Foote Cozeners (1778) i. 25 His wig..white as a curd, feather-topped, and the curls as close as a cauliflower.
1788 V. Knox Winter Evenings III. vii. i. 4 Divest them of their feather-topt wigs, their gowns and cassocks.
feather-tuft n. an edible mushroom, Clavaria cristata (Hay Brit. Fungi (1887) 234).
ΚΠ
1867 Lady Llanover Good Cookery 53 As soon as the feathers were dry, they were taken away by the featherwife.
ΚΠ
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Fetherworcker, plumarius.
b. In various plant-names.
feather-bow n. = feverfew n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Compositae (composite plants) > [noun] > feverfew
feverfewOE
adrelwurta1300
featherfew?a1300
whitewort?c1400
matricary1523
St. Peter's wort1526
parthenium1548
matricaria1664
wild wormwood1696
mugworta1726
whitehead1864
golden feather1867
feather-bow1880
flirt-wort1882
1880 T. Q. Couch E. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall 84 Feather bow, fever few, Matricaria parthenium.
feather-columbine n. (see quot. 1878-86).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Ranunculaceae (crowfoot and allies) > [noun] > thalictrum or meadow rue
feathered columbine1629
meadow rue1648
meadow rhubarb1656
Thalictrum1664
rue anemone1817
muskrat weed1830
fen-rue1863
feather-columbine1878
1878–86 J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names Feather..Columbine.. A frequent book-name for Thalictrum aquilegifolium L. an old-fashioned garden plant.
feather-fern n. (see quot. 1882).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > shrubs > spiraea shrubs > [noun]
spiraea1666
spirey1714
hardhack1814
meadowsweet1814
bridal wreath1856
steeple-bush1859
feather-fern1882
pearl bush1882
1882 H. Friend Gloss. Devon Plant Names Feather Fern, Spiræa Japonica L.
feather-foil n. the water violet ( Hottonia palustris).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > aquatic, marsh, and sea-shore plants > [noun] > feather-foil
water gillyflower1578
water violet1578
water yarrow1597
water milfoil1760
feather-foil1776
water feather1818
1776 W. Withering Bot. Arrangem. Veg. Great Brit. I. 115 Featherfoil.
1861 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. IV. 219 Common Water-Violet, or Featherfoil.
1875 Anderida I. viii. 155 His paddle..hung in the stems of water-crowfoot and featherfoil.
feather-grass n. a perennial feather grass ( Stipa pennata).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > a grass or grasses > [noun] > other grasses
feather-top grass1597
hooded matweed1597
millet grass1597
spring grass1643
moor grass1749
melic1762
finger grass1767
feather-grass1776
aegilops1777
oat-grass1802
prairie grass1812
oat-grass1814
tansy mustard1856
purple moor grass1859
whorl-grass1861
Molinia1866
onion grass1868
káns1874
Turk's-head grass1882
Pangola finger-grass1947
tor grass1954
bush-grass-
1776 W. Withering Bot. Arrangem. Veg. Great Brit. I. 44 Feathergrass.
1861 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. VI. 66 Order Gramineæ..(Common Feather-grass).
feather-moss n. the name of a genus (Hypnum) of British mosses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > moss > [noun] > other mosses
golden maidenhair1578
polytrichon1578
bryon1597
maidenhair moss1597
mountain coralline1598
chalice-moss1610
purple bottle1650
water moss1663
fern-moss1698
hypnum1753
Mnium1754
rock tripe1763
feather-moss1776
scaly water-moss1796
screw moss1804
hog-bed1816
fringe-moss1818
caribou moss1831
apple moss1841
bristle-moss1844
scale-moss1846
anophyte1850
robin's rye1854
wall moss1855
fork-moss1860
thread-moss1864
lattice moss1868
robin-wheat1886
1776 W. Withering Bot. Arrangem. Veg. Great Brit. II. 680 Feathermoss..Hypnum.
1854 Stark Brit. Mosses 228 Hypnum Trichomanoides..(Blunt Fern-like Feather Moss).
1854 Stark Brit. Mosses 229 Hypnum Complanatum..(Flat Feather Moss).
feather palm n.
ΚΠ
1884 W. Miller Dict. Eng. Names Plants Ptychosperma, Australian Feather~palm.
feather-top wild campion n. (see quot. 1597).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Caryophyllaceae (chickweeds and allies) > [noun] > campion and ragged robin
cow-rattle14..
campion1576
behen1578
crowsoap1578
white campion1578
catchfly1597
feather-top wild campion1597
frothy poppy1597
lime-wort1597
nonsuch1597
sea campion1597
spattling poppy (also campion)1597
Greek rose1601
lychnis1601
knap-bottle1640
moss pink1641
Lobel's catchfly1664
red robin1678
moss campion1690
red campion1728
round robin1741
Silene1751
Nottingham catchfly1762
silenal1836
Robin Hood1844
thunder-flower1853
gunpowder weed1860
sea-catchfly1864
robin redbreast1880
poppy1886
thunderbolt1886
rattleweed1893
cancer1896
bladder-campion-
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 385 Lychnis Plumaria, Fethertop wilde Campion.
feather-top grass n. (see quot. 1878-86).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > a grass or grasses > [noun] > other grasses
feather-top grass1597
hooded matweed1597
millet grass1597
spring grass1643
moor grass1749
melic1762
finger grass1767
feather-grass1776
aegilops1777
oat-grass1802
prairie grass1812
oat-grass1814
tansy mustard1856
purple moor grass1859
whorl-grass1861
Molinia1866
onion grass1868
káns1874
Turk's-head grass1882
Pangola finger-grass1947
tor grass1954
bush-grass-
1597 J. Gerard Herball i. 8 In English a Bent, or Feather-top grasse.
1678 A. Littleton Linguæ Latinæ Liber Dictionarius at Princes Feather-top grass. Gramen tomentosum arundinaceum.
1878–86 J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names Feathertop Grass, Calamagrostis Epigejos.
feather-wood n. (see quot. 1884).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular timber trees or shrubs > non-British timber trees > [noun] > Australasian
tallow-tree1704
rata1773
rosewood1779
red mahogany1798
ironbark1799
wild orange1802
red gum1803
rewarewa1817
red cedar1818
black-butted gum1820
Huon pine1820
miro1820
oak1821
horoeka1831
hinau1832
maire1832
totara1832
blackbutt1833
marri1833
raspberry jam tree1833
kohekohe1835
puriri1835
tawa1839
hickory1840
whau1840
pukatea1841
titoki1842
butterbush1843
iron gum1844
York gum1846
mangeao1848
myall1848
ironheart1859
lilly-pilly1860
belah1862
flindosa1862
jarrah1866
silky oak1866
teak of New South Wales1866
Tolosa-wood1866
turmeric-tree1866
walking-stick palm1869
tooart1870
queenwood1873
tarairi1873
boree1878
yate1880
axe-breaker1884
bangalay1884
coachwood1884
cudgerie1884
feather-wood1884
forest mahogany1884
maiden's blush1884
swamp mahogany1884
tallow-wood1884
teak of New Zealand1884
wandoo1884
heartwood1885
ivorywood1887
Jimmy Low1887
Burdekin plum1889
corkwood1889
pigeon-berry ash1889
red beech1889
silver beech1889
turnip-wood1891
black bean1895
red bean1895
pinkwood1898
poplar1898
rose mahogany1898
quandong1908
lancewood1910
New Zealand honeysuckle1910
Queensland walnut1919
mahogany gum1944
Australian mahogany1948
1884 A. Nilson Timber Trees New S. Wales Index 135 Featherwood, Polyosma Cunninghamii. Saxifrageæ.
1927 Blackwood's Mag. Oct. 464/1 The delicate green tracery of the graceful featherwoods and celery-top pines.
1947 R. H. Anderson Trees New S. Wales (ed. 2) 218 In addition to the Opossum Wood and the Featherwood there are four related species belonging to the same family (Escalloniaceae).
Draft additions March 2006
feather-cut n. and adj. (a) n. a hairstyle in which the hair is cut into thin, tapered, feather-like layers; (b) adj. having or designating hair in this style.
ΚΠ
1924 Port Arthur (Texas) News 4 Nov. 13/3 The fashionable boyish cut is the equivalent to the feather cut in the masculine world.
1944 F. Crane Amethyst Spectacles iv. 36 Bee's black hair curled naturally and she wore it in a feathercut.
1981 Fortune (Nexis) 1 June 52 The phone gets tucked between her feather-cut blond head and raincoat-clad shoulder.
1996 C. J. Stone Fierce Dancing vii. 101 They had long feather-cut hair and wore cap-sleeved T-shirts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
featherv.
/ˈfɛðə/, U.S. /ˈfɛðər/ I. To cover or furnish with feathers.† 1. transitive. To give wings to; to ‘wing’ for flight. literal and figurative. Obsolete.figurative.a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xvii. 16 His aruys, that is his apostles..for thai ere feþerid wiþ vertus.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xxiii. 118 Manye brode arwes, Were fetherede with faire by-heste!a1640 P. Massinger Beleeue as you List (1976) ii. ii. 188 All arrowes in thy quiver fether'd with sclanders.1665 J. Spencer Disc. Vulgar Prophecies 77 Language, feathered with soft and delicate phrases, and pointed with pathetical accents.1721 A. Ramsay Cupid Thrown iv With transfers a' his darts were feather'd.1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi II. iii. iii. 66 Whose arrow was not feathered by sadness.† 6. Of a cock: To cover with outspread feathers; to tread. Obsolete.† 7. ? To touch with or as with a feather; to touch lightly. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > cause to move swiftly [verb (transitive)]
featherc888
speeda1387
whirry1582
winga1596
rattle?1611
race1734
to send along1867
zip1891
roller-coast1962
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxvi. §1 Ic sceal ærest þin mod gefiðerian.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 223 I not by what craft he feþered his feet and his hondes, for he wolde flee in Dedalus his wise.
1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Tullyes Offyces iii. sig. X.1 Oh stable truthe & faythfulnesse fethered to flye to heuen.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads ii. 139 Horse slaughter'd horse, Need feather'd flight.
1634 J. Ford Chron. Hist. Perkin Warbeck iii. sig. E3v The Cornish..flewe, Featherd by rage.
a1647 R. Loveday Lett. (1662) 204 The Polonian Story..perhaps may feather some tedious hours.
a1849 T. L. Beddoes Second Brother ii. ii, in Poems (1851) I. 39 Blessings of mine Feather your speed!
2. To fit (an arrow) with a feather.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything
feather?c1225
serve?c1225
astore1297
purveya1325
purveyc1325
warnishc1330
supply1384
bego1393
garnish?a1400
stuff14..
instore1432
relievec1480
providec1485
appurvey1487
support?1507
furnishc1515
repair1518
supply1529
speed1531
help (a person) to (also with)1569
sort1598
suffice1600
enduea1616
starta1640
employ1690
find1713
to fix out1725
issue1737
service1969
society > armed hostility > military equipment > production and development of arms > produce or develop arms [verb (transitive)] > feather an arrow
feather?c1225
wing1606
fletch1656
fledge1796
flight1869
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 51 Ase flaa þet is iuiðered.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2728 Dartes y-feþered wiþ bras.
c1400 Rom. Rose 942 Ten brode arrowes held he there..But they were..feathered aright.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 547/1 I feder a shafte, as a fletcher doth.
a1577 G. Gascoigne Wks. (1587) 185 Be his flights yfethred from the goose Or peacocks quils.
1599 J. Hayward 1st Pt. Henrie IIII 60 The King having feathered these arrowes against his owne brest, passed foorth [etc.].
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love i. ii. 8 Cupids Arrow was well featherd.
1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull Still in Senses v. 19 An Arrow feather'd with his own Wing.
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iv. i. 110 Shaft-heads feather'd from the eagle's wing.
3. † b. To decorate (a person) with the projecting feather of an arrow; hence to pierce, wound. Also, To bury (an arrow) up to the feather. Obsolete.† c. passive. To be covered with white waves.
a. To clothe or provide with feathers; to furnish with plumage; to deck or adorn with, or as with, feathers; to form a feather-like covering or adornment for.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > in specific material
fur?1370
befur1470
feather1483
case1582
kersey1628
flannel1778
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > as with feathers
feather1483
fledgea1616
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > ornament [verb (transitive)] > ornament with plumes or feathers
plume1592
befeather1611
feather1618
fledge1725
1483 Cath. Angl. 124/2 To Fedyr, pennare, plumare.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. iii. xlii. 54/2 These gentell byrdes had pyte on hym and fethered hym agayne.
1618 N. Field Amends for Ladies v. ii. sig. H A branch of willow feathering his hat.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 111 The King cared not to plume his Nobilitie..to feather himselfe.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 18 A wildering forest feathered o'er His ruined sides.
1833 H. Martineau Cinnamon & Pearls i. 19 With more than her usual fancy did she feather with cocoa-nut leaves the poles of bamboo.
1834 R. Southey Doctor I. 58 A craggy hill, feathered with birch, sheltered it from the north.
1864 J. H. Burton Scot Abroad I. iii. 140 He sought to feather his hat with..French plumage.
1878 F. J. Bell & E. R. Lankester tr. C. Gegenbaur Elements Compar. Anat. 134 The stalk..retains some of its primitive character by being feathered.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with missile
shootc893
shoot1297
feather1415
to shoot (a person, thing) through1535
daga1572
pistol1598
lace1622
to shoot‥through and througha1648
pink1661
pop1762
plump1785
wing1802
drill1808
rifle1821
leg1829
hole1847
shot1855
blunderbuss1870
riddle1874
pip1900
slot1987
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > use of bow and arrow > shoot (arrow) [verb (transitive)] > pierce
feather1415
rove?c1550
1415 Pol. Poems (Rolls) III. 125 Thei felle to grownde, Here sydes federed.
1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) I. ii. xvi. 279 An other [arrow should haue beene] fethered in his bowels.
1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. D2v A man of meane estate..being feathered with Cupides bolt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > types of waves > [verb (intransitive)] > be covered with white waves
feather1749
1749 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage II. 251 The Sea was feathered with a strong Tide.
4. reflexive and intransitive for reflexive. Of a bird: To get its feathers, to become fledged. ? Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > young bird > [verb (reflexive)] > become fledged
featherc1450
pen1486
c1450 Bk. Hawkyng in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 298 Thou seist hym [your young hawk] hym begyn to feder.
1486 Bk. St. Albans A ij a When they bene vnclosed and begynneth to feder any thyng of lengthe.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 169 They that meane to fatte Pigions..doo seuer them when they be newely feathered.
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 118 The Vulture..beholds her young to thrive and feather.
1790 A. Wilson Poems 190 A' safe an' weel about our nest, An' them quiet feath'rin' laid!
5. To cover with feathers.
a. internally: To line with feathers, in to feather one's nest: to avail oneself of opportunities for laying up wealth, to enrich oneself.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > wealth > be rich [verb (intransitive)] > become rich
gather?c1225
richa1375
purchasec1387
increasea1425
enrich1525
to feather one's nest1583
to make a, one's fortune1596
to make one's fortunea1616
fatten1638
accumulate1747
to fill one's pipe1821
to shake the pagoda-tree1825
pyramid1926
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F5 By this meanes..they feather their nests well inough.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 7 Yet all this worke is neglected, that his owne neast may be well feathered.
1658 F. Osborne Mem. Reigns Elizabeth & James in Wks. (1673) 514 He might have feathered his Family better than he did.
1753 T. Smollett Ferdinand Count Fathom I. xvi. 94 His spouse..was disposed to feather her own nest, at the expence of him and his heirs.
1876 F. E. Trollope Charming Fellow III. xii. 149 Maxfield has feathered his nest very considerably.
b. externally: To coat with feathers; more fully, to tar and feather (see tar v.1).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > public or popular punishments > [verb (transitive)] > tar and feather
emplume1611
tar1769
feathera1777
a1777 S. Foote Cozeners (1778) iii. ii. 88 You wanted to send me to be feathered abroad.
1829 W. H. Maxwell Stories Waterloo: F. Kennedy 205 The population were amusing themselves..in..feathering tithe proctors.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > family Phasianidae (pheasants, etc.) > hen or cock > [verb (transitive)] > cover or tread (of cock)
featherc1386
c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 357 He fetherid Pertelote twenty tyme, And trad as ofte.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Cock & Fox in Fables 226 Ardent in Love..He feather'd her a hundred times a Day.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > touch lightly
thackc897
featherc1230
attouchc1480
palp1534
flatter1599
tat1607
touch1647
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 103 Þer ich feðeri on a word tene oðer tweolue.
II. To present or give (to anything) the appearance of feathers.
8.
a. intransitive. To move, wave or float like feathers; to grow, extend in a feathery form.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend in space [verb (intransitive)] > like a fringe or feathers
feather1770
fringe1857
the world > space > shape > other specific shapes > assume other specific shapes [verb (intransitive)] > of feather(s)
feather1770
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > move irregularly or be agitated [verb (intransitive)] > flutter or flicker
flatterc1425
flitter1483
flickera1500
flutter1561
play1590
swattera1666
whiff1686
feather1770
whiffle1817
1770 T. Whately Observ. Mod. Gardening 197 A noble wood crowns the top, and feathers down to the bottom of a large, oval, swelling hill.
1797 G. Colman My Night-gown 12 The snow came feathering down.
1820 W. Scott Monastery I. ii. 95 Little patches of wood and copse..feathering naturally up the beds of empty torrents.
1857 S. Osborn Quedah xxiv. 356 The graceful palm, the plantain, and pandanus..feathering over the edge of a beetling cliff, as if they were ostrich-plumes.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 30 Her full-busted figure-head Stared o'er the ripple feathering from her bows.
1881 R. D. Blackmore Christowell (1882) iv Like the wave and dip of barley feathering to a gentle July breeze.
b. U.S. Of cream: To rise upon the surface of tea, etc. like small flakes or feathers.
ΚΠ
1860 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 3) The cream feathers.
1889 in J. S. Farmer Americanisms
1890 Critic (N.Y.) 21 June 314/1 To keep cream from feathering in hot weather.
c. transitive. To send up feather-wise. rare.
ΚΠ
1861 G. W. Thornbury Life J. M. W. Turner I. 222 Where..Vesuvius feathers up its quiet plume of pure white smoke.
9. Of a flower (chiefly, a tulip), to be feathered: to be marked with feather-like lines.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > be a flowering plant [verb (intransitive)] > have particular marking or colouring
to be feathered1833
break1835
lace1844
1833 Hogg Suppl. Florists' Flowers 31 When a Tulip is feathered with dark purple.
1881 Gardeners' Chron. 16 748 The outer segments variously feathered with dark purple.
10. transitive. To cut (wood, etc.) down gradually to a thin edge. Cf. feather-edged adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > fact or condition of tapering > taper [verb (transitive)] > the edge
feather-edge1648
feather1782
the world > space > shape > sharpness of edge or point > sharpen (a thing) [verb (transitive)] > sharpen edge
edgea800
feather-edge1648
feather1782
fine-edge1824
1782 Edgeworth in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 73 138 An arm of deal, feather-edged, and supported by stays of the same material, feathered in the same manner.
1794 S. Vince in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 85 44 Pieces of lead with the edges feathered off.
11. absolute.1825 L. Hunt tr. F. Redi Bacchus in Tuscany 857 Boaters, who know how to feather, Never get tired.1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. xiii. 243 This wind will make it very rough..Mind you feather high.
a. to feather an oar: to turn it as it leaves the water at the end of a stroke, so that it may pass through the air edgeways.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > make stroke with oar > feather oar
to feather an oara1740
a1740 [implied in: Tickell in Webster's Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (1890) The feathering oar returns the gleam. (at feathering adj. b)].
1774 C. Dibdin Waterman in W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1827) II. 1062 He feather'd his oars with..skill.
1847 J. Wilson Christopher North I. 248 We to-day shall feather an oar.
b. To fix (paddle-boards) so as to offer the least resistance while entering and leaving the water. (Cf. feathering adj. b.)
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling other than by sail or oars > propel boat other than by sail or oars [verb (transitive)] > adjust paddle-wheel floats
reef1834
feather1848
1848 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1847 71 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (30th Congr., 1st Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 54) VI Improvements in the mode of feathering the floats of paddle wheels.
c. transitive. To rotate (the blades of a propeller) so that they are parallel to the direction of motion and offer the least resistance to the water or air when not driven. Hence, on a rotating-wing aircraft (or helicopter): to vary the angle of incidence of (the blades).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling other than by sail or oars > propel boat other than by sail or oars [verb (transitive)] > feather propeller
feather1883
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > means of propulsion > [verb (transitive)] > feather propeller
feather1909
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > rotary wing aircraft > [verb (transitive)] > vary angle of incidence of blades
feather1955
1883 A. E. Seaton Man. Marine Engin. xv. 298 Yachts and ships which are required to sail as well as steam, cannot well do the former when the screw is stopped, unless some means be adopted of feathering the blades.
1909 F. T. Jane All World's Air-ships 52/1 The blades can be feathered, and either propeller feathered independently of the other.
1921 S. W. Barnaby Marine Propellers (ed. 6) iii. 58 In a twin-screw ship screws that can be feathered fore and aft by internal mechanism will be found advantageous.
1940 Flight 15 Aug. e/2 Should a power unit in a multi-engined aircraft suddenly fail..it is a great advantage to be able to feather the airscrew.
1947 Times 2 Sept. 2/5 After gaining height the piston engines were switched off and their airscrews feathered.
1955 R. N. Liptrot & J. D. Woods Rotorcraft v. 44 Displacement (or lag) therefore causes any movement about the flapping hinge..to ‘feather’ the blade, that is change its incidence.
1967 C. H. Barnes Shorts Aircraft 358 For the first time a fully loaded Sunderland could be flown safely with two airscrews feathered on the same side.
d. intransitive. Of a propeller: to assume a ‘feathered’ position (see feathered adj. 8b).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling other than by sail or oars > propel boat other than by sail or oars [verb (intransitive)] > feather (of propeller)
feather1933
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > means of propulsion > [verb (intransitive)] > assume specific state (of propeller)
feather1933
windmill1934
1933 Jane's Fighting Ships 228 Variable pitch propeller on inner shaft which ‘feathers’ when Turbines only are used.
1951 Engineering 9 Mar. 301/2 Propellers of aircraft..so built that they could ‘feather’.
III. In various uses.
12. Shooting. To knock a few feathers from (a bird) without killing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > shooting > shoot game [verb (transitive)] > shoot without killing
wing1802
tailor1889
feather1890
prick1900
1890 R. Payne-Gallwey Lett. to Young Shooters 137 You would have shot ‘well behind’, and not even feathered the tail of a cock-pheasant.
1892 Field 9 Apr. 524/1 Mr. Mervyn Watts..feathered a strong bird from No. 2 trap.
13. Hunting.
a. Of a hound: To make a quivering movement with the tail and body, while searching for the trail.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (intransitive)] > search for game or scent > quiver
feather1803
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > make a search [verb (intransitive)]
seekc1000
ofsechec1300
searchc1330
laita1400
ripea1400
to cast about1575
to fall about1632
quest1669
to bush about or out1686
beat1709
to cast about one1823
feather1892
1803 in Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1804) 7 111 The leading hound, beginning to feather.
1839 F. P. D. Radcliffe Noble Sci.: Ideas Fox-hunting ix. 163 See that old bitch how she feathers—how her stern vibrates with the quickened action of her pulses.
1861 G. F. Berkeley Eng. Sportsman 310 At last Druid began ‘to feather’..on the traces of a deer.
1892 Field 7 May In a lot of oats Saul feathered about, but could not find.
b. Of the huntsman (see quot. 1884).
ΚΠ
1884 R. Jefferies Red Deer vii. 118 The harbourer likes to ‘feather’—to set the hounds direct on the trail.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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