contour feather

contour feather

n. Any of the outermost feathers of a bird, forming the visible body contour and plumage.

contour feather

n (Zoology) any of the feathers that cover the body of an adult bird, apart from the wings and tail, and determine its shape

con′tour feath`er

n. one of the feathers that form the surface plumage of a bird including those of the wings and tail. [1865–70]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

contour feather - feathers covering the body of an adult bird and determining its shapefeather, plumage, plume - the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds