Plumb Definition
plŭm
plumbed, plumbing, plumbs
noun
plumbs
A device consisting of a lead weight (plumb bob) hung at the end of a line (plumb line), used to determine how deep water is or whether a wall, etc. is vertical.
Webster's New World
A weight on the end of a line, used especially by masons and carpenters to establish a true vertical.
American Heritage
adverb
In a vertical direction; straight down.
Webster's New World
Directly; squarely.
Fell plumb in the middle of the puddle.
American Heritage
Entirely; wholly; absolutely.
Plumb tired out.
Webster's New World
adjective
Perfectly vertical; straight down.
Webster's New World
Utter; absolute; sheer.
A plumb fool.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
plumbed, plumbing, plumbs
To test or sound with a plumb.
Webster's New World
To test the verticality or alignment of with a plumb.
American Heritage
To discover the facts or contents of; fathom; solve; understand.
Webster's New World
To make vertical.
Webster's New World
To work as a plumber.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
prefix
(chemistry) Alternative form of plumbo-; used before a vowel.
Wiktionary
idiom
off
- Not vertical.
American Heritage
out of plumb
- not vertical
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Plumb
- off
- out of plumb
Origin of Plumb
Middle English lead, a plumb from Old French plomb from Latin plumbum lead
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Old French *plombe, from Latin plumba (plural of plumbum).
From Wiktionary
Plumb Is Also Mentioned In
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