displume

• Verbe désuet signifiant déplumer, c’est-à-dire enlever les plumes d’un oiseau, et par extension priver de ce qui est décoratif ou précieux.

An archaic verb meaning to strip of feathers or pluck off feathers, or figuratively, to deprive of something ornamental or valuable.

1. Strip of honors or possessionsC2formal

   To deprive someone of their honors, achievements, or possessions.

   Dépouiller de ses honneurs ou biens

   • The scandal threatened to displume the politician of his reputation.
   • The conqueror sought to displume the defeated king of his crown and lands.
   • Years of legal battles failed to displume the family of their ancestral estate.

   Synonymesbereavedeprivedespoildispossessdivestrobstrip

2. Strip of feathersC2formal

   To remove the feathers from a bird.

   déplumer (un oiseau)

   • The falconer carefully began to displume the captured hawk.
   • In ancient rituals, they would displume the bird as an offering.
   • The wind was so strong it seemed to displume the small sparrow.

   Synonymesdeplumepluck