feathering

Definition: (1) Blurring of a border or bounding line by reduction of the sharpness or suddeness of the change in value of e.g. colour, brightness, etc. * With image manipulation programs, feathering can often be set by pixel width (a) very wide gives the greatest feathering (b) narrow or no feathering gives sharp outlines. (2) Blurring or ragged edge to a printed outline due to seepage of ink into the support material. (3) Adding equal amounts of space between lines of type i.e. give equal increases in leading in order to force vertical justification in desk-top publishing programs.

Previous Term: feather  Next Term: F-line