feather
Quill with barbs
The growths forming the outer covering of birds and constituting their plumage are feathers.
All other more specific meanings arise from this.
Feather is common in idioms such as birds of a feather (like things or people) and a feather in your cap (an achievement of distinction).
Verb uses of feather are mainly technical and specific to various skill domains: The hairdresser feathered her hair.
To feather your nest is to enrich yourself unethically or illegally.
Bird's complete feather coat
- quillFeather used for writing
- downToward lower ground
- pinionToothed wheel, small
- contourBounding line of shape
barb · vane · shaft · rachis · molt · preen · keratin · wing
Move with effortless continuity
- soarAscend to heights
- hoverRemain suspended midair
- airborneTraveling through air
- updraftUpward air movement
thermals · lift · wing · flap · drift · aerodynamics · lightweight · buoyant
Having soft, fine texture
- fluffySoft and light-textured
- pillowBedding for heads
- duvetFilled bed covering
- comforterQuilted bed covering
cushion · plush · gentle · delicate · wispy · gossamer · light · airy
Pleated fabric edging
Ornamental feather or rising column
- headdressOrnamental head covering
- fascinatorOrnamental clip-on millinery
- millineryCraft of hat design
- boaSqueeze-killer or neckwear
costume · adornment · decoration · ceremonial · regalia · tribal · carnival · masquerade
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
contour · barb · vane · shaft · rachis · molt · preen · keratin · wing · tail
glide
Move with effortless continuity
updraft · thermals · lift · wing · flap · drift · aerodynamics · lightweight · buoyant · streamlined
downy
Having soft, fine texture
comforter · cushion · plush · gentle · delicate · wispy · gossamer · light · airy · tender
ruffle
Pleated fabric edging
cap · nest · light · weight · knock · prize · achievement · proud
plume
Ornamental feather or rising column
- headdressOrnamental head covering
- fascinatorOrnamental clip-on millinery
- millineryCraft of hat design
boa · costume · adornment · decoration · ceremonial · regalia · tribal · carnival · masquerade · hatband
ticklish
Prone to squirming
tease · sensation · playful · stroke · brush · sensitive · wriggle · prickle · tingle · nostril
blade
Flat cutting edge
oar · stroke · technique · angle · entry · extraction · sculling
- archeryarrow, bow, bows, arrows, archer
- feathersplume, quill, rachis, down, vane
- animal productswool, leather, hide, pelt, fur
- beachcombingseashell, shells, driftwood, sea glass, sand dollar
- decorationsornament, ornaments, embellishment, trim, wreaths
- Delicate Thingsbutterfly wing, spider web, bubble, soap bubble, eggshell
- light as a featherNearly without mass
- birds of a featherThose with shared characteristics
- feather dusterPlumed cleaning implement
- as light as a featherExtremely light, negligible weight
- ruffle some feathersCause mild irritation
- feather boasDecorative plumage accessories
feathers, feathery, feathered, feathering, featherless, unfeathered, featheriness, defeathered, featherlike