White Feather (Noun)
Meaning
A symbol of cowardice.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The soldier was given a white feather by a woman on the street, implying that he was a coward for not enlisting to fight in the war.
- In some cultures, presenting someone with a white feather is a way of publicly shaming them for their lack of bravery.
- The white feather became a symbol of cowardice during World War I, when women would give them to men who were not in uniform.
- He felt humiliated when his friends presented him with a white feather, suggesting that he was afraid to take risks.
- The tradition of giving a white feather to someone deemed a coward originated in the 18th century among the Native American tribes.