Plumelet
/ˈpluːm.lət/noun
A small plume or feather, especially one forming part of a bird’s plumage or a decorative object.
Did you know?The ending “-let” is a diminutive suffix, so plumelet carries the historical sense of “little plume,” not merely any small feather.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
plūma
“A feather, down, or soft plumage”
Medieval Latin
Latin
plūma
“A feather, often used in descriptions of birds and writing quills”
12th Century
Old French
plume
“A feather or pen made from a feather”
Middle English
English
plume
“A feather, ornamental tuft, or writing quill”
Early Modern English
English
plumelet
“A little plume or small ornamental feather”
Modern English
English
plumelet
“A small plume or feather”