featherless
|feath-er-less|
🇺🇸
/ˈfɛðɚləs/
🇬🇧
/ˈfeð.ələs/
without feathers
Etymology
'featherless' originates from Old English elements: 'feðer' (feather) plus the suffix '-leas' meaning 'without'.
'feðer-leas' in Old English became Middle English 'fetherles' / 'featherles' and eventually the modern English 'featherless'.
Initially it meant 'without feathers' (literally) and it has retained that primary meaning; later it has also been used figuratively to mean 'bare' or 'unprotected'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking feathers; having no feathers (used of birds, chicks, or other feathered animals).
The newly hatched chicks were still featherless and needed extra warmth.
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Adjective 2
figuratively, lacking a covering or protection; bare or exposed.
The report left certain issues featherless, exposing vulnerabilities in the plan.
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Last updated: 2025/12/28 12:55