someone please define feathering

I've been reading a lot about feathering the brakes. I'm assuming this means a light touch on the brake. However, I need a better description.

Thanks! Nicole

That's what it is. It should slow you down a little, but not create any sudden deceleration...

For me, feathering is a series of very quick, very light squeezes on the brake levers, or an even, but very gentle and slow, squeezing of the levers.

Yeppers, just as described.

Think about this:

Regular old kitchen faucet on full bore, stick your hand in stream - makes a huge diversion - that's hard braking. Now stick your hand in the edge ever so slightly - that's halfway the idea of the partial pressure you'll be applying as you feather your breaks. Finally, if you put your hand barely in and out real fast - that's feathering.

To me it is somewhat like pumping the brakes on your car - just a more gentle and less aggressive move.

so what about feathering as it relates to shifting..I don't get that one...