verb
feather
To turn a blade to reduce resistance from air or water.
The rower feathers each oar as it clears the water.
Etymology
The action name draws on feather as something offering little resistance when appropriately aligned. A blade is feathered by turning it edge-on during the part of its motion when resistance is unwanted.
More examples
- The pilot feathers the propeller after shutting down the engine.
- Feather the oars before swinging them forward for another stroke.
- She is learning to feather her paddle on windy days.
Forms
feather · feathers · feathered · feathering