Dictionary
plume
Pronunciation: (plOOm), [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 called
mantle plume. Geol.a deep-seated upwelling of magma within the earth's mantle. Cf.
diapir.
—
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); pride (oneself) (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.
