Featherlight

/ˈfeðərˌlaɪt/ adjective

Definition

Very light in weight; extremely light or insubstantial, like a feather.

Etymology

Compound of 'feather' and 'light,' named for the characteristic lightness of feathers. Commonly used since the 19th century to describe exceptionally lightweight objects.

Kelly Says

Featherlight is a brilliant metaphor because feathers are so perfectly optimized for lightness that their name became synonymous with weighing almost nothing. Modern materials scientists try to create featherlight synthetics by copying nature.

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