plume: Meaning and Definition of

plume

Pronunciation: (plm), [key]
— n., v., plumed, plum•ing.
—n.
  1. a feather.
  2. a large, long, or conspicuous feather: the brilliant plume of a peacock.
  3. a soft, fluffy feather: the plume of an egret.
  4. any plumose part or formation.
  5. a feather, a tuft of feathers, or some substitute, worn as an ornament, as on a hat, helmet, etc.
  6. a feather or featherlike token of honor or distinction, esp. one worn on a helmet.
  7. plumage.
  8. a vertically or longitudinally moving, rising, or expanding fluid body, as of smoke or water.
  9. a visible pattern of smoke resulting from emissions from a stack, flue, or chimney.
  10. Also calleda deep-seated upwelling of magma within the earth's mantle. Cf.
—v.t.
  1. to furnish, cover, or adorn with plumes or feathers.
  2. (of a bird) to preen (itself or its feathers).
  3. to feel complacent satisfaction with (oneself&hasp;); pride (oneself&hasp;) (often fol. by on or upon): She sat before the mirror, pluming herself upon her beauty.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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