filoplume: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely rare, technicalExclusively technical/scientific
Quick answer
What does “filoplume” mean?
A type of small, delicate feather with a long, hair-like shaft and very few or no barbs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of small, delicate feather with a long, hair-like shaft and very few or no barbs.
In ornithology, a specialized feather, often sensory, associated with detecting the position of other feathers; any very fine, hair-like feather.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; both use the same technical term.
Connotations
Purely technical, no regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “filoplume” in a Sentence
The [noun] is covered with filoplumes.Filoplumes [verb] among the contour feathers.A study of the filoplume's [noun].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “filoplume” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The filoplume distribution was mapped.
American English
- Filoplume density varies across species.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in technical papers and textbooks on ornithology, zoology, or avian anatomy.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The sole domain of usage; refers to a specific feather type with a sensory function.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “filoplume”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “filoplume”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “filoplume”
- Using it as a general term for 'feather'.
- Misspelling as 'filloplume' or 'philoplume'.
- Attempting to use it in non-technical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and highly technical term used almost exclusively by ornithologists and zoologists.
Filoplumes are thought to have a sensory function, helping birds sense the position and movement of their other feathers.
No, that would be 'down'. A filoplume is specifically a long, thin, hair-like feather, not necessarily fluffy.
No, its meaning is strictly confined to the specific type of feather in avian biology.
A type of small, delicate feather with a long, hair-like shaft and very few or no barbs.
Filoplume is usually exclusively technical/scientific in register.
Filoplume: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪlə(ʊ)pluːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪləˌpluːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FILO' (like filo pastry, which is thin and stringy) + 'PLUME' (a feather). A thin, stringy, hair-like feather.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'filoplume'?