noun
down
The soft, fine feathers of a bird.
The sleeping bag is filled with soft goose down.
Etymology
The Old Norse word already names fine, soft feathers. English retains that material sense for the insulating layer beneath a bird’s outer plumage.
More examples
- Tiny down feathers covered the nest.
- A down jacket keeps her warm.
- The ducklings still have yellow down.
Forms
down