fanlike
Like peacock feathers
Fanlike describes something that spreads outward from a central point in the shape of a fan—whether a handheld folding fan or an electric one with radiating blades.
Peacock tails spread fanlike.
Palm fronds are fanlike.
Hair can fall fanlike across a pillow.
The word appears most often describing natural forms or the way things open and spread: The cards lay fanlike on the table.
Ornamental feather or rising column
- featherBird's body covering
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- fretworkInterlocking ornamental design
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
arabesque · art nouveau · art deco · acanthus · sunburst · rayed · scalloped · fluted
Send forth rays
- splaySpread outward ungainly
- unfoldSpread open from closed
- divergeSeparate into directions
- arrayOrdered collection or display
flare · widen · spread · open · extend · sprawl · branch · disperse
Tropical tree's feathery leaf
- ginkgo leafFoliage from living fossil
- peacock tailMale peafowl's plumage
- scallop shellRidged mollusk exterior
- coralMarine skeletal formation
delta · alluvial · fishtail · palmetto · traveler's palm · fungus · bracket · semicircular
Light, gentle air movement
- waftDrift on air
- flutterRapid light movement
- oscillatingSwinging back and forth
- circulationMovement through a system
airflow · punkah · ventilation · blowing · whisking · winnowing
plume
Ornamental feather or rising column
- featherBird's body covering
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
- fretworkInterlocking ornamental design
scrollwork · arabesque · art nouveau · art deco · acanthus · sunburst · rayed · scalloped · fluted · tracery
radiate
Send forth rays
array · flare · widen · spread · open · extend · sprawl · branch · disperse · scatter
palm frond
Tropical tree's feathery leaf
- ginkgo leafFoliage from living fossil
- peacock tailMale peafowl's plumage
- scallop shellRidged mollusk exterior
coral · delta · alluvial · fishtail · palmetto · traveler's palm · fungus · bracket · semicircular · ribbed
breeze
Light, gentle air movement
- waftDrift on air
- flutterRapid light movement
- oscillatingSwinging back and forth
circulation · airflow · punkah · ventilation · blowing · whisking · winnowing