defeather
|de-feath-er|
🇺🇸
/dɪˈfɛðər/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈfɛðə/
remove feathers
Etymology
'defeather' originates from English, specifically formed by the prefix 'de-' meaning 'removal' or 'reversal' and the word 'feather' meaning 'plume' or 'wing covering'.
'feather' comes from Old English 'feðer' (written feþer) derived from Proto-Germanic '*feþrą'; 'defeather' is a modern English formation by adding the productive prefix 'de-' to 'feather'.
Initially, the components meant 'remove' (de-) and 'feather' (plume); the combined verb has long meant 'to remove feathers' and has retained that core meaning in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of removing feathers from a bird (derived noun usage).
The defeather took about 30 minutes for the three birds.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to remove the feathers from a bird or other fowl, typically for preparation or cooking.
They will defeather the goose before roasting it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/29 10:25