feathered

1. 1
   adjective

   Having feathers covering the body, the way a bird does.

   Like a coat made of feathers covering the whole body.

   The baby bird was fully feathered by the start of spring.

   A feathered owl perched silently on the bare branch.

   Similarplumed, fledged

   Oppositefeatherless, unfledged

2. 2
   verb

   Past tense and past participle of feather. Use it for the past, or after has, have, had, is, was or were.

   She feathered the edges of the clay with her thumb.

   He feathered the brakes gently going down the steep hill.

   Note
3. 3
   adjectivein compounds

   Having a certain kind or amount of feathers.

   Like having a thick or thin coat: some birds wear far more feathers than others.

   This breed is densely feathered along its legs.

   The show judges prefer birds that are evenly feathered.

   Similarplumed

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   With oar or propeller blades turned to move edge-first, cutting through air or water.

   Like turning a knife so its thin edge, not its flat side, slips through the water.

   The rower kept her oars feathered between strokes.

   A feathered propeller makes less drag when the engine is off.

   Oppositesquared

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Having an edge thinned down to a smooth, gradual slope.

   Like the edge of a sheet of paper, getting so thin you can barely see it.

   The carpenter left the board's edge feathered so it sat flush.

   A feathered edge on the glass felt smooth under his fingertips.

   Similartapered, beveled

   Note
6. 6
   adjectiveliterary

   Covered or decorated with something soft and light, as if with feathers.

   Like a tree dusted with snow so light it looks like soft feathers.

   The pine trees stood feathered with fresh, soft snow.

   Her hat was feathered with scraps of lace and ribbon.

   Similarlaced, fringed

   Note
7. 7
   adjectiveliterary

   Very fast, like a bird in flight.

   Like a bird darting through the air, almost too fast to see.

   The messenger crossed the plain with feathered speed.

   Her feathered steps barely touched the ground as she ran.

   Similarwinged, swift, fleet

   Oppositeslow, sluggish

   Note
8. 8
   adjectivedialectalAppalachia

   Badly beaten or hurt in a fight.

   Like a boxer who has taken too many hits and can barely stand.

   After the brawl, he limped home looking thoroughly feathered.

   The losing side went home feathered and bruised.

   Similarbeaten, battered

   Note

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