plumb

(plŭm)

1. A weight on the end of a line, used to determine water depth.
2. A weight on the end of a line, used especially by masons and carpenters to establish a true vertical.

1. In a vertical or perpendicular line.
2. Informal Directly; squarely: fell plumb in the middle of the puddle.
3. also plum Informal Utterly; completely: plumb worn out. See Note at right.

1. Exactly vertical. See Synonyms at vertical.
2. also plum Informal Utter; absolute; sheer: a plumb fool.

1. To determine the depth of with a plumb; sound.
2. To test the verticality or alignment of with a plumb.
3. To straighten or make perpendicular: plumb up the wall.
4. To examine closely or deeply; probe: “Shallow ideas are plumbed and discarded” (Gilbert Highet).
5. To seal with lead.

Related Forms:

• plumbˈa·ble adjective

• plumbˈness noun