plume
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)plumes
- anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness“a plume of smoke”“grass with large plumes”Type of shape, form
- a feather or cluster of feathers worn as an ornamentType of adornmentKinds aigrette, panache
- the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birdsSynonyms: plumageType of body covering, animal materialKinds scapular, down, marabou, flight feather, hackle, bastard wing, contour feather, aftershaftPart of birdParts vane, quillMade of melanin, keratin
Verb (6)plumes, plumed, pluming
- rip off; ask an unreasonable priceSynonyms: overchargesoaksurchargegazumpfleecepluckrobhookMore general cheat, rip offMore specific extort, squeezeInvolves charge, bill
- be proud of“He prides himself on making it into law school”Synonyms: pridecongratulateMore general feel, experience
- deck with a plume“a plumed helmet”More general deck, bedight
- clean with one's bill“The birds preened”Synonyms: preenMore general arrange, clean
- form a plume“The chimneys were pluming the sky”“The engine was pluming black smoke”More general shape, form
- dress or groom with elaborate care“She likes to dress when going to the opera”Synonyms: preenprimpdressMore general overdress, dress upSimilar dress, get dressed
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: F., fr. L. pluma. Cf. Fly, verb
1. A feather; esp., a soft, downy feather, or a long, conspicuous, or handsome feather.
Wings... of many a colored plume.— John Milton
2. Zoology An ornamental tuft of feathers.
3. A feather, or group of feathers, worn as an ornament; a waving ornament of hair, or other material resembling feathers.
His high plume, that nodded o'er his head.— John Dryden
4. A token of honor or prowess; that on which one prides himself; a prize or reward. “Ambitious to win from me some plume.” John Milton
5. Botany A large and flexible panicle of inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.
Plume bird Zoology, any bird that yields ornamental plumes, especially the species of Epimarchus from New Guinea, and some of the herons and egrets, as the white heron of Florida (Ardea candidissima). — Plume grass. Botany (a) A kind of grass (Erianthus saccharoides) with the spikelets arranged in great silky plumes, growing in swamps in the Southern United States. (b) The still finer Erianthus Ravennæ from the Mediterranean region. The name is sometimes extended to the whole genus. — Plume moth Zoology, any one of numerous small, slender moths, belonging to the family Pterophoridæ. Most of them have the wings deeply divided into two or more plumelike lobes. Some species are injurious to the grapevine. — Plume nutmeg Botany, an aromatic Australian tree (Atherosperma moschata), whose numerous carpels are tipped with long plumose persistent styles.
Origin: Cf. F. plumer to pluck, to strip, L. plumare to cover with feathers.
1. To pick and adjust the plumes or feathers of; to dress or prink.
Pluming her wings among the breezy bowers.— Washington Irving
2. To strip of feathers; to pluck; to strip; to pillage; also, to peel. obsolete Bacon. Dryden.
3. To adorn with feathers or plumes. “Farewell the plumed troop.” William Shakespeare
4. To pride; to vaunt; to boast; — used reflexively; as, he plumes himself on his skill. Robert South
Plumed adder Zoology, an African viper (Vipera cornuta, syn. Clotho cornuta), having a plumelike structure over each eye. It is venomous, and is related to the African puff adder. Called also horned viper and hornsman. — Plumed partridge Zoology, the California mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus). See Mountain quail, under Mountain.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54