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aplomb - 6 dictionary results

a⋅plomb

[uh-plom, uh-pluhm]
–noun
1. imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
2. the perpendicular, or vertical, position.

Origin:
1820–30; < F à plomb according to the plummet, i.e., straight up and down, vertical position


1. composure, equanimity, imperturbability.


1. confusion, discomposure; doubt, uncertainty.
a·plomb   (ə-plŏm', ə-plŭm')   
n.  Self-confident assurance; poise. See Synonyms at confidence.

[French, from Old French a plomb, perpendicularly : a, according to (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + plomb, lead weight (from Latin plumbum, lead).]
Main Entry:  aplomb1
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  great self-confidence; self-assuredness
Etymology:  Middle French a plomb 'according to the plummet'
Main Entry:  aplomb2
Part of Speech:  n
Definition:  perpendicularity
Etymology:  Middle French a plomb 'according to the plummet'

Aplomb

A`plomb"\, n. [F., lit. perpendicularity; ? to + plomb lead. See Plumb.] Assurance of manner or of action; self-possession.

aplomb 
"assurance, confidence," 1828, from Fr., lit. "perpendicularity," from phrase à plomb "poised upright, balanced," lit. "on the plumb line," from L. plumbum "(the metal) lead" (see plumb), of which the weight at the end of the line was made.
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