Definition

Noun: 1. The act of turning an oar parallel to the water between pulls: In rowing, this is a technique to reduce air resistance and make the stroke more efficient. 2. The plumage or covering of feathers on a bird: This refers to a bird's entire set of feathers collectively. 3. A pattern or structure resembling feathers: This can refer to markings, textures, or growth patterns in various materials (like wood, stone, or plants) that look similar to the arrangement of barbs on a feather.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Rowing Technique):
  • Proper feathering of the oar is essential for a smooth and fast stroke.
  • The coach emphasized the importance of clean feathering to minimize splash.
• Noun (Bird's Plumage):
  • The bird's bright feathering made it easy to spot among the leaves.
  • The exhibit displayed the diverse feathering of tropical parrots.
• Noun (Feather-like Pattern):
  • The marble had a beautiful gray feathering running through it.
  • The edges of the fossil showed delicate feathering in the stone.

Advanced Usage

• "In feathering": Describing the state or action of performing the rowing technique.
  • Keep the oar in feathering until the catch position.
• Used in technical descriptions in fields like geology, woodworking, or botany to describe specific visual patterns.

Variants and Related Words

• Feather (noun/verb): The individual structure; to turn an oar parallel to the water.
• Feathered (adjective): Having feathers; describing an oar turned parallel to the water.
• Feathery (adjective): Resembling or covered with feathers; soft and light.

Synonyms

• Plumage (for meaning 2): A bird's feathers collectively.
• Patterning (for meaning 3): The arrangement of marks or designs.
• Turning (for meaning 1, specific context): The action of rotating the oar.

Related Phrases

• To feather an oar: The verb form of the rowing technique.
  • Remember to feather the oar as you finish the stroke.
• Feathering the nest: (Idiom) To accumulate wealth, especially for one's family or retirement.
  • He's been feathering his nest for years with wise investments.

Related Idioms

• Birds of a feather flock together: People with similar interests, backgrounds, or characteristics tend to associate with each other.
  • They're all artists—birds of a feather flock together.

Noun

1. turning an oar parallel to the water between pulls