释义 |
feather1/ʹfedhə/ nounany of the light horny outgrowths that form the external covering of a bird's body, consisting of a shaft with two sets of interlocking barbs (usu in pl) = feathering (2) the act of feathering an oar a feather in one's cap a deserved honour or mark of distinction in which one can take pride [from the former practice of wearing a feather as a mark of honour or distinction, dating back to the award of a crest of three ostrich feathers to the Black Prince after the Battle of Crécy in 1346.] in fine feather in fine condition; in high spirits feathery adj [Old English fether]
feather2verb (feathered, feathering)verb transto turn (an oar blade) almost horizontal when lifting it from the water to change the angle at which (a propeller blade) meets the air so as to have the minimum wind resistance, or to feather the propeller blades attached to (a propeller or engine) to fit (an arrow, etc) with feathers to cover, clothe, or adorn (something) with feathers to cut (air, etc) with or as if with a wing verb intransto feather an oar or an aircraft propeller blade said of ink or a printed impression: to soak in and spread; to blur feather one's nest to provide for oneself, esp dishonestly, through a job in which one is trusted feathered adj |