feather

noun

• any of the flat appendages growing from a bird’s skin and forming its plumage, consisting of a partly hollow horny shaft fringed with vanes of barbs: the waxwing has very bright feathers and a prominent crest Sally-Anne, dolled up in ostrich feathers and pearls
• (feathers) a fringe of long hair on the legs of a dog, horse, or other animal.

verb

• 1 [with object] rotate the blades of (a propeller) about their own axes in such a way as to lessen the air or water resistance.
• vary the angle of attack of (rotor blades).
• Rowing turn (an oar) so that it passes through the air edgeways:he turned, feathering one oar slowly

• 2 [no object, with adverbial] float or move like a feather:the green fronds feathered against a blue sky

• 3 [with object] blend or smooth delicately:feather the paint in, in a series of light strokes

• 4 [no object] (of ink, lipstick, etc.) separate into tiny lines after application: (as noun feathering)a long-lasting formula that resists feathering and protects the lips

• 5short for feather-cut.