plume

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness

   a plume of smoke

2. 2
   verb

   deck with a plume

   a plumed helmet

3. 3
   noun

   A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.

   Near-synonym: aigrette

4. 4
   noun

   A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.

   Near-synonym: aigrette

5. 5
   noun

   A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides oneself; a prize or reward.

   But well thou comſt / Before thy fellows, ambitious to win / From me ſom Plume, that thy ſucceſs may ſhow / Deſtruction to the reſt: [...]

6. 6
   noun

   Things resembling a feather.

   Tidal gravitational effects cause plumes of sodium silicate to erupt from Elaaden's core, depositing unusually pure silicon sand across the surface—invaluable for manufacturing high-performance computer hardware.

7. 7
   verb

   Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence (figurative), to prepare for (something).

   I make no doubt she has made the best of her way back to the hospitable hall of Sir Watkyn Williams Wynne; and may very possibly be pluming her wings, at this present writing, among the breezy bowers of Wynnstay.

8. 8
   verb

   To congratulate (oneself) proudly, especially concerning something unimportant or when taking credit for another person's effort; to self-congratulate; to preen.

   He plumes himself on his skill.

Etymology

Sense 1 (“to adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes”) is derived from Anglo-Norman plumer (“to cover with or provide with feathers”), or its etymon Latin plūmāre, the present active infinitive of plūmō (“to grow feathers, to fledge; to cover with feathers, to feather; to embroider with a feathery pattern”) (and compare Late Latin plūmō (“to attach feathers to arrows; of a hawk: to pluck the feathers from prey; (figurative) to celebrate, praise”)), from plūma (“feather; plumage; down”) (see etymology 1) + -ō (suffix forming regular first-conjugation verbs). Senses 2–4 (“to arrange and…