6. (Mach. & Carp.) A longitudinal strip projecting as a fin from an
object, to strengthen it, or to enter a channel in another object and
thereby prevent displacement sidwise but permit motion lengthwise; a
spline.
7. A thin wedge driven between the two semicylindrical parts of a
divided plug in a hole bored in a stone, to rend the stone. Knight.
8. The angular adjustment of an oar or paddle-wheel float, with
reference to a horizontal axis, as it leaves or enters the water.
Feather is used adjectively or in combination, meaning composed of, or
resembling, a feather or feathers; as, feather fan, feather-heeled,
feather duster.
Feather alum (Min.), a hydrous sulphate of alumina, resulting from
volcanic action, and from the decomposition of iron pyrites; -- called
also halotrichite. Ure. -- Feather bed, a bed filled with feathers. --
Feather driver, one who prepares feathers by beating. -- Feather
duster, a dusting brush of feathers. -- Feather flower, an artifical
flower made of feathers, for ladies' headdresses, and other ornamental
purposes. -- Feather grass (Bot.), a kind of grass (Stipa pennata)
which has a long feathery awn rising from one of the chaffy scales
which inclose the grain. -- Feather maker, one who makes plumes, etc.,
of feathers, real or artificial. -- Feather ore (Min.), a sulphide of
antimony and lead, sometimes found in capillary forms and like a
cobweb, but also massive. It is a variety of Jamesonite. -- Feather
shot, or Feathered shot (Metal.), copper granulated by pouring into
cold water. Raymond. -- Feather spray (Naut.), the spray thrown up,
like pairs of feathers, by the cutwater of a fast-moving vessel. --
Feather star. (Zoˆl.) See Comatula. -- Feather weight. (Racing) (a)
Scrupulously exact weight, so that a feather would turn the scale, when
a jockey is weighed or weighted. (b) The lightest weight that can be
put on the back of a horse in racing. Youatt. (c) In wrestling, boxing,
etc., a term applied to the lightest of the classes into which
contestants are divided; -- in contradistinction to light weight,
middle weight, and heavy weight. -- A feather in the cap an honour,
trophy, or mark of distinction. [Colloq.] -- To be in full feather, to
be in full dress or in one's best clothes. [Collog.] -- To be in high
feather, to be in high spirits. [Collog.] -- To cut a feather. (a)
(Naut.) To make the water foam in moving; in allusion to the ripple
which a ship throws off from her bows. (b) To make one's self
conspicuous. [Colloq.] -- To show the white feather, to betray
cowardice, -- a white feather in the tail of a cock being considered an
indication that he is not of the true game breed.
Feath"er (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feathered (#); p. pr. & vb. n.
Feathering.] 1. To furnish with a feather or feathers, as an arrow or a
cap.
An eagle had the ill hap to be struck with an arrow feathered from
her own wing.
L'Estrange.