plume
a feather.
a large, long, or conspicuous feather: the brilliant plume of a peacock.
a soft, fluffy feather: the plume of an egret.
any plumose part or formation.
a feather, a tuft of feathers, or some substitute, worn as an ornament, as on a hat, helmet, etc.
a feather or featherlike token of honor or distinction, especially one worn on a helmet.
a vertically or longitudinally moving, rising, or expanding fluid body, as of smoke or water.
a visible pattern of smoke resulting from emissions from a stack, flue, or chimney.
Also called mantle plume. Geology. a deep-seated upwelling of magma within the earth's mantle.: Compare diapir.
to furnish, cover, or adorn with plumes or feathers.
(of a bird) to preen (itself or its feathers).
to feel complacent satisfaction with (oneself); pride (oneself) (often followed by on or upon): She sat before the mirror, pluming herself upon her beauty.
Origin of plume
1Other words from plume
- plumeless, adjective
- plumelike, adjective
- re·plume, verb (used with object), re·plumed, re·plum·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for plume
/ (pluːm) /
a feather, esp one that is large or ornamental
a feather or cluster of feathers worn esp formerly as a badge or ornament in a headband, hat, etc
biology any feathery part, such as the structure on certain fruits and seeds that aids dispersal by wind
something that resembles a plume: a plume of smoke
a token or decoration of honour; prize
geology a rising column of hot, low viscosity material within the earth's mantle, which is believed to be responsible for linear oceanic island chains and flood basalts: Also called: mantle plume
to adorn or decorate with feathers or plumes
(of a bird) to clean or preen (itself or its feathers)
(foll by on or upon) to pride or congratulate (oneself)
Origin of plume
1Derived forms of plume
- plumeless, adjective
- plumelike, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for plume
[ plōōm ]
A feather, especially a large one.
A body of magma that rises from the Earth's mantle into the crust.♦ If a plume rises to the Earth's surface, it erupts as lava. ♦ If it remains below the Earth's surface, it eventually solidifies into a body of rock known as a pluton.
An area in air, water, soil, or rock containing pollutants released from a single source. A plume often spreads in the environment due to the action of wind, currents, or gravity.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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