|
  • Search Results
  • Advanced Search
  • List Builder
  • Random Word

plume

Think of a large, fluffy, colorful feather and you are imagining a plume, something that can be used decoratively, often in hats or vases, just as it creates a decorative element for the bird it comes from.

We can trace the present word plume was probably taken from the Old English word plūmfether. Going back further, we can find the Latin pluma meaning "feather" or "down." Plume is often applied to a large puff of smoke or any mass that spreads into the air from a single source. If you see a plume of smoke coming from the chimney, the fireplace is going. If you see a plume of smoke coming from the window, call the fire department.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: plume

1
 nv
the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
deck with a plume
2
 v
dress or groom with elaborate care
3
 v
rip off; ask an unreasonable price
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: plume
1

n the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

Synonyms:
feather, plumage
Types:
show 15 types...
hide 15 types...
down, down feather
soft fine feathers
aftershaft
a supplementary feather (usually small) on the underside of the base of the shaft of some feathers in some birds
contour feather
feathers covering the body of an adult bird and determining its shape
alula, bastard wing, spurious wing
tuft of small stiff feathers on the first digit of a bird's wing
marabou
the downy feathers of marabou storks are used for trimming garments
hackle
long slender feather on the necks of e.g. turkeys and pheasants
flight feather, pinion, quill, quill feather
any of the larger wing or tail feathers of a bird
scapular
a feather covering the shoulder of a bird
duck down
down of the duck
goose down
down of the goose
swan's down
down of the swan
plumule
down feather of young birds; persists in some adult birds
saddle feather, saddle hackle
a long narrow feather on the back (saddle) of a domestic fowl
primary, primary feather, primary quill
one of the main flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of a bird's wing
tail feather
feather growing from the tail (uropygium) of a bird
Type of:
body covering
any covering for the body or a body part
animal material
material derived from animals

n a feather or cluster of feathers worn as an ornament

Types:
aigret, aigrette
a long plume (especially one of egret feathers) worn on a hat or a piece of jewelry in the shape of a plume
panache
a feathered plume on a helmet
Type of:
adornment
a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness

n anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness

“a plume of smoke”
“grass with large plumes”
Type of:
form, shape
the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance

v deck with a plume

“a plumed helmet”
Type of:
bedeck, bedight, deck
decorate

v clean with one's bill

Synonyms:
preen
Type of:
arrange, set up
put into a proper or systematic order
clean, make clean
make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from

v form a plume

“The chimneys were pluming the sky”
“The engine was pluming black smoke”
Type of:
form, shape
give shape or form to
2

v dress or groom with elaborate care

Synonyms:
dress, preen, primp
dress, get dressed
put on clothes
Type of:
attire, deck out, deck up, dress up, fancy up, fig out, fig up, get up, gussy up, overdress, prink, rig out, tog out, tog up, trick out, trick up
put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive

v be proud of

Synonyms:
congratulate, pride
Type of:
experience, feel
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
3

v rip off; ask an unreasonable price

Synonyms:
fleece, gazump, hook, overcharge, pluck, rob, soak, surcharge
Antonyms:
undercharge
charge (someone) too little money
Types:
extort, gouge, rack, squeeze, wring
obtain by coercion or intimidation
bleed
get or extort (money or other possessions) from someone
Type of:
cheat, chisel, rip off
deprive somebody of something by deceit
Launch
WORD FAMILY
USAGE EXAMPLES