Sekirov Dictionary

plume

/ˈpluːm/

noun 14
verb 7
forms 6

noun14

•
A cloud formed by a dispersed substance fanning out or spreading.
- After the explosion, a plume of smoke could be seen in the sky for miles around.
- The pollutant creates a contaminant plume within an aquifer.
An upward spray of mist or water.
Ellipsis of mantle plume (“an upwelling of abnormally hot molten material from the Earth's mantle which spreads sideways when it reaches the lithosphere”).
Things resembling a feather.
A large and flexible panicle of an inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.
A body part resembling a feather.
The furry tail of certain dog breeds (such as the Samoyed) that curls over their backs or stands erect.
More fully gill plume: a feathery gill of some crustaceans and molluscs.
An arc of glowing material (chiefly gases) erupting from the surface of a star.
The vane (“flattened, web-like part”) of a feather, especially when on a quill pen or the fletching of an arrow.
•
(figurative) A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides oneself; a prize or reward.
- But well thou comst / Before thy fellows, ambitious to win / From me som Plume, that thy success may show / Destruction to the rest: […] — 1667
Ellipsis of plume moth (“a small, slender moth of the family Pterophoridae”).
•
A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.
- [T]he most valuable cargo carried by the Titanic wasn't diamonds or gold but 12 cases of ostrich plumes valued at $2.3 million in today's money. — 2020
A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.

verb7

To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.
•
Of a dispersed substance such as dust or smoke: to fan out or spread in a cloud.
- Smoke plumed from his pipe, then slowly settled towards the floor.
•
[with oneself] To congratulate (oneself) proudly, especially concerning something unimportant or when taking credit for another person's effort; to self-congratulate; to preen.
- He plumes himself on his skill.
•
[with oneself] Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence (figurative), to prepare for (something).
- I bless thee that thy angel-presence still infolds me here! / Forgive me, ere thy spirit plumest for the heavenly sphere. — 1854
•
(no longer used) To strip (a bird) of feathers; to pluck.
- the king cared not to plume his nobility — 1622
(no longer used) To peel, to strip completely; to pillage; also, to deprive of power.
•
(no longer used) Of a hawk: to pluck the feathers from prey.
- The hauke proineth when she fetcheth oyle with her beake over the taile, and anointeth her feet and her fethers. She plumeth when she pulleth fethers of anie foule and casteth them from her. — 1793

forms

plumed · plumedst · pluming · plumes · plumeth · plumest

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