featheredadj.
/ˈfɛðəd/, U.S. /ˈfɛðərd/ 1. in extended use.1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. i. 49 One of the supporting cliffs..was in deep shade, but the other, feathered with foliage.1851 H. Mayo On Truths Pop. Superstit. (ed. 2) 25 An abrupt craggy ridge, feathered with underwood.
a. Of birds, animals, etc.: Provided with or having feathers. feathered friend: a bird (used sentimentally or ironically). Also in parasynthetic combinations, as black-feathered, hard-feathered, pen-feathered, well-feathered adjs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > feather > [adjective]
featheredc1300
penneda1398
well-feathered1525
well-plumed1575
plumy1590
feathery1637
well-fledged1650
pennigerous1656
plumigerous1656
penniferous1722
flighted1735
plumaged1777
fledgy1818
plumulose1826
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > [adjective] > covered > with other specific coverings
featheredc1300
overskail1508
briereda1554
stone-faced1632
sodded1652
netted1800
foamed1820
fibre-faceda1884
the world > animals > birds > [noun] > bird
fowlOE
bird?c1225
wing1601
feathera1616
feather-monger1767
feathered friend1933
c1150 Eadwine's Psalter (E.E.T.S.) lxxvii. 27 Fuglæs gefeðerede.]
c1300 K. Alis. 5406 Hy weren blake fethered on the wombe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15991 Þe cok lepe vp..Federd fayrer þan be-forn.
a1440 Found. St. Bartholomew's i. vi The vision of the federyd beiste.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 163 I wyll not refuse to shewe you somwhat also of my feathered cattell.
1684 R. Howlett School Recreat. 131 See that he [the cock] be sound, hard feather'd.
a1721 M. Prior Turtle & Sparrow (1723) 263 My children then were just pen-feather'd.
1721 R. Bradley Philos. Acct. Wks. Nature 85 Thus have I remark'd what is most observable in the feathered Tribe.
1769 J. Wallis Nat. Hist. Northumberland I. ix. 311 The young being surprized..when they are near full feathered.
1840 F. D. Bennett Narr. Whaling Voy. II. 242 The legs are..feathered to the feet.
1876 S. Smiles Life Sc. Naturalist vii. 105 A feathered wanderer flew by.
1933 E. A. Robertson Ordinary Families xiv. 294 I did not write one letter about ‘our feathered friends’ which was not published.
1953 E. Simon Past Masters i. iii. 35 We keep chickens..and so far our feathered friends are letting us down badly.
1967 Guardian 4 Feb. 14/8 The British farmers'..war against our furred and feathered friends might be an enormous mistake.
b. Pertaining to or consisting of animals with feathers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > [adjective]
feathereda1605
ornithic1842
ornithological1842
avian1870
avine1881
volucrine1881
a1605 A. Montgomerie Natur Passis Nuriture 53 Fra sho with fedrit flesh was fed.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Matinée The Fox that sleepes a mornings meets with no feathered break~fasts.
1889 (title of periodical) The feathered world.
2. That is, or seems to be, supplied with wings; winged, fleet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [adjective]
swiftc888
swifta1050
currentc1300
quickc1300
hastivea1325
hastyc1330
ingnel1340
swiftyc1380
speedfula1387
fasta1400
swippingc1420
speedy1487
fleet1528
tite?a1540
scudding1545
flighty1552
suddenly1556
flight1581
feathered1587
Pegasean1590
wing-footed1591
swift-winged?1592
thought-swift-flying1595
wind-winged?1596
swallow-winged1597
Pegasarian1607
skelping1607
rapid1608
night-swifta1616
celerious1632
clipping1635
perniciousa1656
volatile1655
quick-foot1658
meteorous1667
windy1697
high-flying1710
fleet-footed1726
aliped1727
wickc1760
velocious1775
flight-performing1785
fast-going1800
fast-moving1802
meteor1803
wight-wapping1830
fleety1841
speeding1847
swiftening1848
two-forty1855
fire-swift1865
pennate1870
spinning1882
percursory1884
zippy1889
meteoric1895
pacy1906
presto1952
the world > the supernatural > deity > [adjective] > supplied with wings
feathered1587
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > mythical creature or object > [adjective] > having wings
wingedc1405
feathered1587
sail-wingedc1595
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > motion in the air > [adjective] > flying (as) with wings > furnished for flight
pinioned1440
feathered1587
fledge1631
volacious1653
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > body and limbs > [adjective] > relating to limbs > relating to wings or fins > having wings or fins > that appears to have wings
feathered1587
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 100v The God that feadreth [sic] is and blinde.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. i. 107 I saw yong Harry..Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles xxii. 15 In fetherd briefenes sayles are fild. View more context for this quotation
1636 R. Durham in Ann. Dubrensia sig. H2v Those Grey-hounds, which with feather'd feete, Fly ore your pleasant downes.
1647 J. Hall Poems i. 39 Nor think this while our featherd minutes may Fall under measure.
1792 S. Rogers Pleasures Mem. i. 62 The feathered feet of Time.
1865 J. R. Lowell Poet. Wks. (1879) 429 Yet sometimes feathered words are strong.
3. Of an arrow: Fitted with a feather. Of a wound: Inflicted by an arrow.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > arrow > [adjective] > having feathers
feathered1513
well-feathered1560
fletched1656
well-fletched1656
well-fledged1870
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > use of bow and arrow > [adjective] > inflicted by arrow
feathered1715
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [adjective] > wounded > wounded by sharp weapon > made by arrow
feathered1721
arrowed1908
c1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 143 Sagitta, uel spiculum, gefyðerad flaa.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid x. v. 82 Als swyft as ganze or fedyrit arrow fleis.
1579 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. 403 Syxe sheffe of goode arrowes, well fethered hedds.
1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. i. 68 He twang'd his deadly Bow, And hissing fly the feather'd Fates below.
1721 tr. Æneis xi, in J. Dryden tr. Virgil Wks. (ed. 5) III. 930 A-cross the Shoulders came the feather'd Wound; Transfix'd, he fell.
1825 S. T. Coleridge Aids Refl. 78 The Arrows of Satire feathered with Wit.
4. Adorned with a feather or plume of feathers.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > [adjective] > ornamented with plumes or feathers
peacock-feathered1429
plumeda1529
well-plumed1575
beplumed1582
plumy-crested1598
emplumed1622
feathered1624
plumy1631
befeathered1635
ostrich-plumed1883
1624 Trag. Nero iv. sig. F1v The feather'd man of Inde.
1631 T. Powell Tom of All Trades 170 Your feathered Gallant of the Court.
1753 Extracts Trial J. Stewart in Scots Mag. July 338/1 Allan was..dressed in a blue side-coat..and feathered hat.
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain ii. xxiii. 91 It seemed their feathered crests alone Should this encounter rue.
5. Furnished or ornamented with something resembling a feather or feathers:
a. of animals. Cf. feather n. 11.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [adjective] > having a coat > hairy, furry, or woolly > feathered
plumeda1529
feathered1686
plumose1727
pinnated1776
pinnate1890
1686 London Gaz. No. 2195/4 A black Brown Gelding..Feather'd of each side the Neck.
1721 R. Bradley Philos. Acct. Wks. Nature 137 Moths have their Antennæ short and feathered.
b. Architecture. Cf. feathering n. 2b.
ΚΠ
1845 Ecclesiologist 4 14 (note) A very rich canopied monument, with..double feathered arch.
1848 J. H. Parker Rickman's Styles Archit. Eng. (ed. 5) 90 The arch.. is richly feathered.
c. of a plough-share. Cf. feather n. 15c.
ΚΠ
1762 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. ii. viii. 192 Giving it a..feathered soke.
1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 95 In land, which is free of stones, the feathered share is preferred.
6.
a. Of leaves or petals, timber, etc.: Having feather-like markings.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > [adjective]
fawa700
medleyc1350
freckledc1380
motleyc1380
pied1382
specked1382
vary1382
partyc1385
parted1393
peckleda1400
polymitec1425
sere-colouredc1425
vairc1425
discoloured?1440
motleyed1447
varying1488
sheld1507
fleckered1508
piet1508
mellay1515
particoloured1530
pickled1552
varied1578
mingled1580
partly coloured1582
chequered1592
medley-coloured1593
mingle-coloured1593
piebald1594
feathered1610
changeable1612
particolour1612
enamelled1613
variousa1618
pie-coloured1619
jaspered1620
gangean1623
versicolour1628
patchwork1634
damasked1648
variously-coloureda1660
variegateda1661
agated1665
varicoloured1665
damaska1674
various-coloureda1711
pieted1721
versicoloured1721
diversicoloured1756
mosaic1776
harlequin1779
spanged1788
calico1807
piety1811
varied-coloured1811
discolorate1826
heterochromous1842
jaspé1851
discolor1859
discolorous1860
jasperoid1876
damascened1879
heterochromatic1895
variotinted1903
batik1914
varihued1921
rumbled1930
damasky1931
pepper-and-salt1940
partihued1959
1610 W. Folkingham Feudigraphia i. iii. 7 High grounds produce wood of a more beautiful-feathered and better graine.
1833 Hogg Suppl. Florists' Flowers 31 [A tulip with certain markings is called] a feathered Bybloemen or feathered Rose.
b. Of plants, branches, etc.: Formed or arranged like feathers; having feather-like hairs or tufts; feather-like.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > part defined by form or function > [adjective] > feather-like
feathered1578
plumose1678
the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > plant defined by leaves > [adjective] > having feathery foliage
feathered1776
flake-feathered1848
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball ii. vii. 155 A littell crownet, out of the whiche the small feathered leaues do grow.
1776 W. Withering Brit. Plants (1796) I. 224 Summits..reflected, feathered.
1783 W. Thomson in R. Watson & W. Thomson Hist. Reign Philip III vi. 463 Fir trees, whose close and feathered branches intwined with one another.
1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. i, in Lamia & Other Poems 145 The feather'd grass.
7. In various names of
a. flowers and
ΚΠ
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball ii. vii. 156 Single Gillofers..are called in Englishe by diuers names, as..feathered Gillofers.
1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. The..feathered Columbine, the Thalictrum aquilegifolium.
1878–86 J. Britten & R. Holland Dict. Eng. Plant-names Feathered Gillofers, Dianthus plumarius.
b. moths.
ΚΠ
1839 W. Wood Index Entomologicus 28 Eulepia grammica, feathered Footman.
1839 W. Wood Index Entomologicus 51 Heliophobus Leucophæus, feathered Ear. Heliophobus popularis, feathered Gothic.
1869 E. Newman Illustr. Nat. Hist. Brit. Moths 289 The Feathered Brindle (Aporophyla australis).
1869 E. Newman Illustr. Nat. Hist. Brit. Moths 399 The Feathered Ranunculus (Epunda Lichenea).
1870 J. G. Wood Comm. Moths Eng. 50 The Feathered Thorn (Himera pennaria).
8.
a. Of an oar or paddle: That is or has been turned so as to ‘feather’: see feather v. 11.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [adjective] > rowing > feathering or feathered
featheringa1740
feathered1812
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms ii. 417 As if the lightly feather'd oar..could take them to the shore.
1866 F. W. Brearey Rem. upon Aërial Navig. in Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1865 ii. 17 The downward blow of paddles made of bamboo and silk, if returning feathered for each succeeding stroke, would enable him to effect this.
1891 Daily News 15 Sept. 3/4 The swish of feathered oars upon the water.
b. Of the propeller of an aircraft: having the blades turned about their axes so as to be in line with the air-flow. Cf. feather v. 11c.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > means of propulsion > [adjective] > types of propeller > state of propeller
feathered1935
windmilling1945
1935 Jrnl. Royal Aeronaut. Soc. 39 1026 The feathered propeller has only about 3 per cent. of the drag of the normal airplane.
1940 Flight 15 Aug. e/2 In the ‘fully feathered’ position the airscrew blades are turned round until the average torque exerted by the windmilling blades becomes nearly zero.
1970 H. A. Taylor Airspeed Aircraft since 1931 117 The prototype was controllable, with the propeller of the critical engine feathered.., down to speeds as low as 110kt.
9. Sugar Manufacturing. Cf. feather n. 13.
ΚΠ
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Feathered Boiling of Sugar..is when after several Boilings, the Artist blows thro' the Holes of the Skimmer..till thick and large Bubbles flying up on high, the Sugar is become Feathered.
10. feathered-shot n. (see quot. 1881). Cf. feather-shot copper n. at feather n. Compounds 2a.
ΚΠ
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 132 Feathered-shot, copper granulated by pouring into cold water.
Draft additions June 2007
Of hair: cut with a number of thin, tapered, wispy layers. Cf. feather-cut n. and adj. at feather n. Additions.
ΚΠ
1927 K. Norris My Best Girl xvi. 269 She saw a steel-bright handsome face looking at her under beautiful scallops of feathered hair.
1957 Chron.-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) 25 Apr. 28/4 The feathered cut appeared in several variations.
1989 Washington Post (Nexis) 2 Dec. d1 Her black, feathered hair held blond highlights.
2001 J. Stammers Panoramic Lounge-bar 23 Your feathered black fringe and Irish-blue eyes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.c1000