one of the horny structures forming the principal covering of birds, consisting typically of a hard, tubular portion attached to the body and tapering into a thinner, stemlike portion bearing a series of slender, barbed processes that interlock to form a flat structure on each side.

kind; character; nature

two boys of the same feather.

something like a feather, as a tuft or fringe of hair.

something very light, small, or trivial

Your worry is a mere feather.

Archery . one of the vanes at the tail of an arrow or dart.

Carpentry . a spline for joining the grooved edges of two boards.

Masonry . See under plug and feathers .

a featherlike flaw, esp. in a precious stone.

Machinery . feather key.

Archaic . attire.

Obsolete . plumage.

to provide with feathers, as an arrow.

to clothe or cover with or as with feathers.

Rowing . to turn (an oar) after a stroke so that the blade becomes nearly horizontal, and hold it thus as it is moved back into position for the next stroke.

Aeronautics .

to change the blade angle of (a propeller) so that the chords of the blades are approximately parallel to the line of flight.

to turn off (an engine) while in flight.

to grow feathers.

to be or become feathery in appearance.

to move like feathers.

Rowing . to feather an oar. ?

feather into, South Midland U.S. to attack (a person, task, or problem) vigorously. ?

a feather in one's cap

a praiseworthy accomplishment; distinction; honor

Being chosen class president is a feather in her cap.

birds of a feather. bird ( def. 15 ) .

feather one's nest

to take advantage of the opportunities to enrich oneself

The mayor had used his term of office to feather his nest.

in fine or high feather, in good form, humor

or health

feeling in fine feather.

ruffle someone's feathers, to anger, upset

or annoy (another person).

smooth one's ruffled or rumpled feathers

to regain one's composure; become calm

After the argument, we each retired to our own rooms to smooth our ruffled feathers.