plume

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noun \ˈplüm\

Definition of plume

1 : a feather of a bird: such asa : a large conspicuous or showy featherb : contour featherc : plumaged : a cluster of distinctive feathers
2a : material (such as a feather, cluster of feathers, or a tuft of hair) worn as an ornamentb : a token of honor or prowess : prize
3 : something resembling a feather (as in shape, appearance, or lightness): such asa : a plumose appendage of a plantb : an elongated and usually open and mobile column or band (as of smoke, exhaust gases, or blowing snow)c : an animal structure having a main shaft bearing many hairs or filamentous parts; especially : a full bushy taild : any of several columns of molten rock rising from the earth's lower mantle that are theorized to drive tectonic plate movement and to underlie hot spots

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pluma small soft feather — more at fleece

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

verb

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transitive verb
1a : to provide or deck with feathersb : to array showily
2 : to indulge (oneself) in pride with an obvious or vain display of self-satisfaction
3 of a bird a : to preen and arrange the feathers of (itself)b : to preen and arrange (feathers)

15th century

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noun

: a feather or group of feathers on a bird
: a decoration made of feathers or something similar
: something (such as smoke, steam, or water) that rises into the air in a tall, thin shape