White Feather

Pronunciation: /waɪt ˈfɛðər/

Definitions of white feather

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

Example Sentences

A1 I found a white feather on the ground.

A2 She believed that finding a white feather was a sign of good luck.

B1 The white feather floated gently down from the sky.

B2 The poet used the image of a white feather to symbolize purity and innocence in her poem.

C1 The white feather stood out starkly against the dark background, a symbol of hope in the midst of despair.

C2 As she walked through the forest, she spotted a white feather and felt a sense of peace wash over her.

adjective a word that describes or gives more information about a noun

Example Sentences

A1 The white feather pillow was soft and fluffy.

A2 She wore a white feather boa around her neck for the costume party.

B1 The artist used a white feather quill to create intricate designs.

B2 The elegant bride carried a bouquet with white feather accents.

C1 The rare bird species is known for its distinctive white feather markings.

C2 The museum displayed a collection of artifacts made from white feathers.

Examples of white feather in a Sentence

formal The white feather on the bird's wing was a striking contrast against the blue sky.

informal I found a beautiful white feather while walking in the park.

slang That white feather is so cool, I'm going to keep it as a souvenir.

figurative Her words were like a white feather, light and delicate, but carrying a powerful message.

Grammatical Forms of white feather

• past tense: white feathered
• plural: white feathers
• comparative: whiter feather
• superlative: whitest feather
• present tense: white feather
• future tense: will white feather
• perfect tense: have white feathered
• continuous tense: is white feathering
• singular: white feather
• positive degree: white feather
• infinitive: to white feather
• gerund: white feathering
• participle: white feathered

Origin and Evolution of white feather

First Known Use: 1785 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'white feather' originated as a symbol of cowardice or lack of bravery, likely stemming from the association of white with purity and innocence, contrasting with the bravery typically associated with darker colors.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'white feather' evolved to specifically refer to a physical white feather given as a symbol of cowardice during World War I, when it was used by some to shame men who did not enlist in the military. The connotation of cowardice became deeply ingrained in this context, and the term continues to carry that meaning today.