unfeatherv.
1. transitive. To strip of feathers; to unplume.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)] > strip or make bare > strip of feathers or plumes
deplumec1420
unfeather1483
plume1525
unplume1566
unfledge1598
implume1604
displume1623
pelt1692
ploat1855
1483 Cath. Angl. 124/2 To vn-Fedyr, expennare, explumare.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 116/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II He so handled the matter, that he had vnfethered him of his best friends, aids, and helps.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. x. 236 I will love him that shall trace, or vnfeather me.
1640 T. Carew Poems 107 Love lent thee wings to flye, so Hee Unfeather'd, now must rest with mee.
1681 P. Rycaut tr. B. Gracián y Morales Critick 183 None are here of those who can..unfeather our Nests, whilst they enwrap us in the quilts.
1769 G. Colman Oxonian in Town (Dublin ed.) i. 9 Ay, ay, we'll unfeather the whole nest in time.
1948 L. MacNeice Holes in Sky 34 The foam..is a goose-quill That feathers—unfeathers—itself.
2. intransitive. To lose the feathers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > become uncovered [verb (intransitive)] > lose the feathers
unfeather1849
1849 J. A. Carlyle tr. Dante Inferno 202 When poor Icarus felt his loins unfeather by the heating of the wax.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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