What does unplumed mean?
Unplumed is a rare, literary adjective meaning deprived of feathers, especially after the plumage has been removed from a bird. The word combines the negative prefix un- with plume, the established noun for a feather or a mass of feathers, and the participial ending -ed. In literal use, an unplumed bird is one whose feathers have been plucked, shed, or otherwise lost; the word therefore evokes exposure and vulnerability. It should not be confused with unplumbed, which refers to something not provided with plumbing or, in another sense, not measured precisely in depth. Although readily understandable, unplumed is uncommon and often sounds literary or slightly archaic, so it is most likely to appear in descriptive prose, historical writing, or discussions of birds and hunting. Its rarity makes it a vivid, elevated alternative to featherless. The related adjective plumed provides the clearest contrast: a plumed bird retains its feathers or decorative feathering, whereas an unplumed one does not.
adjectiveDeprived of feathers or plumage; lacking its feathers.
- Deprived of feathers or plumage.
"The falcon, unplumed by a hunting hawk, clung weakly to the branch."
"The falcon, unplumed by a hunting hawk, clung weakly to the branch."
"The taxidermist mounted the specimen while it was still unplumed."
Unplumed captures the stark image of a bird stripped of the plumage that once protected it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unplumed come from?
English unplumed was formed by combining the productive negative prefix un- with plume and the participial ending -ed. Plume comes through Old French from Latin plūma, meaning “feather”; related English words include plumage and plumule. The prefix and ending produce the adjective in the literal sense “deprived of feathers.”
How unplumed is actually used
Rare and literary rather than everyday. It is normally used literally of a bird or other feathered animal that has lost or had its feathers removed, and it can suggest exposure, vulnerability, or starkness.
Easily confused with unplumed
Unplumed means deprived of feathers, whereas unplumbed means not fitted with plumbing or not accurately measured in depth.