plume Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness
- a plume of smoke
- grass with large plumes
noun a feather or cluster of feathers worn as an ornament
noun the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
plumage; feather.
verb rip off; ask an unreasonable price
fleece; soak; pluck; hook; overcharge; rob; gazump; surcharge.
verb be proud of
congratulate; pride.
- He prides himself on making it into law school
verb deck with a plume
- a plumed helmet
verb clean with one's bill
preen.
- The birds preened
verb form a plume
- The chimneys were pluming the sky
- The engine was pluming black smoke
verb dress or groom with elaborate care
dress; primp; preen.
- She likes to dress when going to the opera

F., fr. L. pluma. Cf. Fly, v.

A feather; esp., a soft, downy feather, or a long, conspicuous, or handsome feather.
Wings . . . of many a colored plume. Milton.
(Zoöl.) An ornamental tuft of feathers.
A feather, or group of feathers, worn as an ornament; a waving ornament of hair, or other material resembling feathers.
His high plume, that nodded o'er his head. Dryden.
A token of honor or prowess; that on which one prides himself; a prize or reward. "Ambitious to win from me some plume." Milton.
(Bot.) A large and flexible panicle of inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.

Cf. F. plumer to pluck, to strip, L. plumare to cover with feathers.

imperfect & past participle Plumed ; present participle & verbal noun Pluming

To pick and adjust the plumes or feathers of; to dress or prink.
Pluming her wings among the breezy bowers. W. Irving.
To strip of feathers; to pluck; to strip; to pillage; also, to peel. Obs. Bacon. Dryden.
To adorn with feathers or plumes. "Farewell the plumed troop." Shak.
To pride; to vaunt; to boast; -- used reflexively; as, he plumes himself on his skill. South.