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plume
[ ploom ]
noun
- a feather.
- a large, long, or conspicuous feather:
the brilliant plume of a peacock.
- a soft, fluffy feather:
the plume of an egret.
- any plumose part or formation.
- a feather, a tuft of feathers, or some substitute, worn as an ornament, as on a hat, helmet, etc.
- a feather or featherlike token of honor or distinction, especially one worn on a helmet.
- a vertically or longitudinally moving, rising, or expanding fluid body, as of smoke or water.
- a visible pattern of smoke resulting from emissions from a stack, flue, or chimney.
- Also called mantle plume. Geology. a deep-seated upwelling of magma within the earth's mantle. Compare diapir.
verb (used with object)
- to furnish, cover, or adorn with plumes or feathers.
- (of a bird) to preen (itself or its feathers).
- to feel complacent satisfaction with (oneself ); pride (oneself ) (often followed by on or upon ):
She sat before the mirror, pluming herself upon her beauty.
plume
/ pluːm /
noun
- a feather, esp one that is large or ornamental
- a feather or cluster of feathers worn esp formerly as a badge or ornament in a headband, hat, etc
- biology any feathery part, such as the structure on certain fruits and seeds that aids dispersal by wind
- something that resembles a plume
a plume of smoke
- a token or decoration of honour; prize
- geology a rising column of hot, low viscosity material within the earth's mantle, which is believed to be responsible for linear oceanic island chains and flood basalts Also calledmantle plume
verb
- to adorn or decorate with feathers or plumes
- (of a bird) to clean or preen (itself or its feathers)
- foll byon or upon to pride or congratulate (oneself)
plume
/ plo̅o̅m /
- A feather, especially a large one.
- A body of magma that rises from the Earth's mantle into the crust.
- ◆ If a plume rises to the Earth's surface, it erupts as lava.
- ◆ If it remains below the Earth's surface, it eventually solidifies into a body of rock known as a pluton.
- An area in air, water, soil, or rock containing pollutants released from a single source. A plume often spreads in the environment due to the action of wind, currents, or gravity.
Derived Forms
- ˈplumeless, adjective
- ˈplumeˌlike, adjective
Other Words From
- plumeless adjective
- plumelike adjective
- re·plume verb (used with object) replumed repluming
Word History and Origins
Origin of plume1
Word History and Origins
Origin of plume1
Example Sentences
Now stored in sealed plastic bags, the sooty plumes will help answer questions about how chronic smoke exposure affects birds, and what exactly the animals were exposed to during L.A.’s firestorms.
The warmer plume of air will bring milder nights with no frost expected later in the week and over the weekend.
Chernobyl is the site of the world's worst nuclear accident - a catastrophic explosion that sent a plume of radioactive material into the air in 1986, triggering a public health emergency across Europe.
Both schools — which were in the path of smoke and ash plumes — were cleaned by regular maintenance staff.
Atmospheric river storms are long plumes of water vapor that can pour over from the Pacific Ocean into California.
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