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Glite Dictionary
to deplumate

to deplumate

9.9
To remove the feathers from a bird
  • verb
  • /dɪˈplʌmeɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : desplumar
  • The farmhand began to deplumate the chickens in preparation for cooking.

Examples

  • After catching the goose, he set about deplumating it for the feast.

  • Scientists carefully deplumated several birds to study their skin condition.

  • They will deplumate the birds before cooking them.

  • The chef deplumated the chicken for the recipe.

  • The farmer had to deplumate the birds before preparing them for market.

  • Before cooking the duck, she needed to deplumate it properly.

  • After the hunt, he began to deplumate the pheasants for the dinner table.

Synonyms

to pluck
vsto deplumate
26 5.6

To remove the feathers from a bird before cooking

is used for removing feathers generally, not limited to food preparation
to displume
vsto deplumate
  • Archaic
9.9

To remove feathers from a bird

is identical in meaning but exists as an alternative word form
to deplume
vsto deplumate
  • Archaic
9.9

To pull the feathers off a bird before cooking

is the same action but appears as the common listed form

Antonyms

to feather
1 3.7

To grow feathers, as young birds do

Surface Forms

deplumate infinitive
deplumated past
deplumated past participle
deplumating present participle
deplumates third person singular

Morphology

deplumate = deplume (semi-transparent) = de + plume + ate

The step from 'deplume' to 'deplumate' is a learned verbal extension, so the meaning is recoverable but not fully automatic for many learners.

Etymology

Deplumate comes from the prefix de- meaning 'remove' and the same root as plume and plumage, which mean 'feather'. So, to deplumate is to take the feathers off a bird.