Pronunciation: [ʌnfˈɛðə] (IPA) 
The word "unfeather" is spelled as /ʌnˈfɛðər/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "un" is pronounced as /ʌn/ as in "under". The second syllable "feather" is pronounced as /ˈfɛðər/ as in the bird's plumage. The word is an adjective used to describe something that does not have feathers or has lost its feathers. It could also be used figuratively to describe something that is stripped of its beauty or grace.
Unfeather is a verb that describes the process of disengaging or separating the feathers of a bird's wings or a propeller blade. The term originates from the combination of "un-" meaning reversal or removal, and "feather," denoting the plumage of a bird or the curved blade-like structures on a propeller.
When applied to bird wings, unfeathering typically refers to the action taken to straighten the feathers after preening or being ruffled, either due to grooming or following a disturbance. By aligning the feathers and making slight adjustments, the bird restores the smoothness and aerodynamic efficiency of its wings, enabling it to fly more effectively.
In the context of a propeller, unfeathering involves the procedure of altering the pitch angle of a particular blade. This is often done to minimize resistance or drag and enable the engine and propeller to start in the case of feathering propellers, which are designed to rotate parallel to the aircraft's airflow to reduce drag when the engine is shut down. Unfeathering the propeller is essential in preparing for takeoff or resuming normal operation after an in-flight shutdown, ensuring that the blades return to their optimal angle for efficient performance.
Overall, unfeather is a term commonly employed in avian anatomy and aeronautics, highlighting actions associated with restoring smoothness, alignment, and optimal functioning either to bird feathers or propeller blades.
The word "unfeather" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-" and the noun "feather".
The prefix "un-" is of Germanic origin and is commonly used in English to indicate negation or reversal. It signifies the removal, undoing, or reversal of the action or condition described by the base word.
The noun "feather" originated from the Old English word "feðer", which in turn can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "fethrō". This word ultimately evolved from the Proto-Indo-European root "*pet-", meaning "feather" or "plumage".
When the prefix "un-" is combined with "feather", it creates the verb "unfeather".
