Definition

Noun: - The soft, fine feathers from the breast of a duck: Duck down refers specifically to the layer of small, fluffy feathers found beneath a duck's tougher exterior feathers. This material is highly valued for its exceptional insulating properties and is commonly used as filling for pillows, comforters, and insulated clothing.

Usage

• As a material or substance: Used to describe the insulating filling derived from ducks.
  • The winter jacket is insulated with high-quality duck down.
  • She prefers pillows filled with duck down because they are so soft and warm.

Advanced Usage

• "Goose down vs. duck down": A common comparison in textiles, where goose down is often considered slightly loftier and more expensive, while duck down is an excellent, cost-effective insulating material.
  • The product description details the fill power, clarifying it uses duck down rather than goose down.

Variants and Related Words

• Down (noun): The general term for the soft, fine feathers from birds like ducks or geese, used for insulation.
• Down jacket/vest (noun): A garment insulated with down, which may be duck down.
• Down comforter (noun): A thick, fluffy bed covering filled with down, such as duck down.

Synonyms

• Plumage (in a specific context): While "plumage" generally means a bird's feathers collectively, it can contextually refer to soft feathers.
• Underfeathers: A descriptive term for the soft layer beneath contour feathers.

Notes on Meaning

• Not to be confused with "duck down" as a verb phrase: The noun "duck down" (the feathers) is distinct from the phrasal verb "to duck down," which means to lower one's head or body quickly to avoid something. They are homographs.
  • Noun (this entry): The sleeping bag is filled with duck down.
  • Verb phrase (different meaning): He had to duck down to avoid the low branch.

Noun

1. down of the duck