Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

tar and feather

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.36 in modern English

Syllables: tar and feath-er
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To cover (a person) in sticky tar, then cover in feathers which stick to the tar; an archaic means of humiliating a person.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"1855 — George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 3 "Preaching the Gospel" "O," say they, "if you talk with a Mormon Elder, you are sure to get worsted; tar and feather them, mob them, and stone them out of the country, for if you listen to them, you will be deceived.""
"...they'd be along pretty soon and give me 'bout half an hour's start, and then run me down if they could; and if they got me they'd tar and feather me and ride me on a rail, sure. I didn't wait for no breakfast—I warn't hungry."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

tars and feathers (present, singular) tarring and feathering (participle, present) tarred and feathered (participle, past) tarred and feathered (past) tar-and-feather (alternative)

Phrases

ride on a rail

Frequently Paired Words

ride on a rail

Questions

What does tar and feather mean?: To cover (a person) in sticky tar, then cover in feathers which stick to the tar; an archaic means of humiliating a person.

How to pronounce tar and feather

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