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Definition of plume - 3 dictionary results

plume

  [ploom] noun, verb, plumed, plum⋅ing.
Use plume in a Sentence
–noun
1. a feather.
2. a large, long, or conspicuous feather: the brilliant plume of a peacock.
3. a soft, fluffy feather: the plume of an egret.
4. any plumose part or formation.
5. a feather, a tuft of feathers, or some substitute, worn as an ornament, as on a hat, helmet, etc.
6. a feather or featherlike token of honor or distinction, esp. one worn on a helmet.
7. plumage.
8. a vertically or longitudinally moving, rising, or expanding fluid body, as of smoke or water.
9. a visible pattern of smoke resulting from emissions from a stack, flue, or chimney.
10. Also called mantle plume. Geology. a deep-seated upwelling of magma within the earth's mantle. Compare diapir.
–verb (used with object)
11. to furnish, cover, or adorn with plumes or feathers.
12. (of a bird) to preen (itself or its feathers).
13. to feel complacent satisfaction with (oneself); pride (oneself) (often fol. by on or upon): She sat before the mirror, pluming herself upon her beauty.
Origin:
1350–1400; earlier plome, plume, ME plume < MF < L plūma soft feather (> OE plūm-, in plūmfether downy feather)

Related forms:
plumeless, adjective
plumelike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To plume
plume   (plōōm)   
n.  

  1. A feather, especially a large and showy one.

  2. A large feather or cluster of feathers worn as an ornament or symbol of rank, as on a helmet.

  3. A token of honor or achievement.

  4. A structure or form that is like a long feather: a plume of smoke.

  5. Ecology A space in air, water, or soil containing pollutants released from a point source.

  6. Geology An upwelling of molten material from the earth's mantle.

tr.v.   plumed, plum·ing, plumes

  1. To decorate, cover, or supply with or as if with plumes.

  2. To smooth (feathers); preen.

  3. To congratulate (oneself) in a self-satisfied way: plumed himself on his victory.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin plūma.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

plume 
1399, "a feather" (especially a large and conspicuous one), from O.Fr. plume, from L. pluma "feather, down," from PIE base *pleus- "to pluck, a feather, fleece" (cf. O.E. fleos "fleece"). Meaning "a long streamer of smoke, etc." is first attested 1878. The verb meaning "to dress the feathers" is from 1702.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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