I. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : a very light weight ; specifically : the lightest weight a racehorse may carry in a handicap
2. : one that is very light in weight: as
a. : a boxer or wrestler of a weight falling within a fixed class of very light body weights:
(1) : a professional boxer weighing between 118 and 120 lbs — compare bantamweight , flyweight , heavyweight , middleweight , welterweight
(2) : an intercollegiate boxer weighing between 125 and 134 lbs
(3) : a wrestler weighing between 123 and 134 lbs
b.
(1) : a paper that is bulky but light in weight (as some book papers)
(2) : a paper that is light in weight (as some thin writing papers)
3. : a person that is not very bright : featherbrain
a giant on the football field but a featherweight in the classroom
II. adjective
1. : constituting or being a featherweight : extremely light in weight
a featherweight boxer
a bicycle of featherweight construction
2. : very light or careful in touch or handling
the book is featherweight in its treatment of the incendiary theme
3. : of small significance
a featherweight comedy
a featherweight but charming novel — New Yorker