afterfeathern.
/ˈɑːftəˌfɛðə/, /ˈaftəˌfɛðə/, U.S. /ˈæftərˌfɛðər/ Ornithology.
A secondary structure attached to the undersurface of the shaft of a contour feather, typically resembling a smaller and downier feather; also called hyporachis. Cf. aftershaft n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun] > other specific types
drivings1682
whisker1752
subaxillary1820
accessory plume1835
flake-feather1837
filoplume1867
penna1871
thread-feather1872
deck-feather1879
streamer1879
racket1887
afterfeather1937
1937 Science 9 July 39/1 In most breeds of fowl..the fluffy part of the feather, to the lower part of which the after-feather corresponds, is without pigment pattern.
1976 P. Sengel Morphogenesis Skin v. 193 Neck feathers..have little fluff and no after-feather.
2004 D. Martin Fly-fisher's Illustr. Dict. 82 In turkey, the afterfeather is often oval or elliptical with long, fine barbs that are one-third to two-thirds the length of the main vane.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1937