1. to strip of feathers or plumes
Usage: formal; rare
2. to deprive of honor or dignity
Usage: formal; figurative

Examples

• The hunter began to deplume the wild turkey.
• The scandal served to deplume the once-respected politician.
• Workers deplume the chickens before processing.
• His actions would deplume his family’s reputation.
• The bird was carefully deplumed for the feast.
• Critics sought to deplume the author’s literary standing.