feather

plume

Élément léger et doux couvrant un oiseau, qui l’aide à voler et à rester au chaud.

En anglais simple : One of the light, soft structures covering a bird, helping it fly and stay warm.

• A feather fell from the bird.
• The duck has bright green feathers.
• She found a long feather beside the pond.

Expressions courantes : tail feather, white feather, feather pillow, wing feather

clavette, languette

Bande longue et saillante qui renforce une pièce ou s’insère dans une rainure pour maintenir des pièces ensemble.

En anglais simple : A long raised strip that strengthens a part or fits into a groove to hold parts together.

• The feather fits into this groove.
• A metal feather prevents the wheel from turning on the shaft.
• The engineer replaced the worn feather.

Synonymes : spline, key

Expressions courantes : sliding feather, metal feather, feather key

effiler

Couper ou arranger quelque chose, notamment les cheveux, en couches légères qui s’étalent comme des plumes.

En anglais simple : To arrange or cut something in soft layers that spread out like a bird’s covering.

• The stylist will feather my hair.
• She feathered the ends for a softer shape.
• Can you feather the fringe slightly?

Synonymes : layer

Expressions courantes : feather someone’s hair, feather the ends

alléger, donner des ailes

Diminuer le poids de quelque chose ou lui donner des ailes.

En anglais simple : To make something lighter or give it wings.

• Music feathered the weary hours.
• Hope seemed to feather his spirit.
• The poet imagined a charm that could feather a heavy heart.

Synonymes : lighten

Contraires : weigh down

Expressions courantes : feather the hours, feather something