pen-feather
(ˈpɛnˌfɛðə(r))
[f. pen n.2 + feather.]
1. A quill-feather of a bird's wing.
| 1602 Withal's Dict. 17/2 The great feather of a bird called a pen feather, penna. 1692 Ray Disc. ii. iv. (1732) 192 How happens it that we find none of their Pen-feathers? 1825 Scott Betrothed Introd., Take care your own pen-feathers are strong enough to support you. 1899 Daily News 19 Aug. 7/5 Pen-feathers are seen on cycling hats. |
2. A young undeveloped feather; a pin-feather.
| 1877 N.W. Linc. Gloss., Pen-feathers, small, undeveloped feathers. 1900 Eng. Dial. Dict. (S. Nott.), ‘A dont like pluckin this fowl; it's all pen-feathers’. Ibid. (Reported from many districts, northern and midland.) |