plume

[ ploom ]

noun

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, especially 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. Geology. a deep-seated upwelling of magma within the earth's mantle. Compare diapir.

verb (used with object)

, plumed, plum·ing.

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 followed by on or upon ):

   She sat before the mirror, pluming herself upon her beauty.

plume

/ pluːm /

noun

1. a feather, esp one that is large or ornamental
2. a feather or cluster of feathers worn esp formerly as a badge or ornament in a headband, hat, etc
3. biology any feathery part, such as the structure on certain fruits and seeds that aids dispersal by wind
4. something that resembles a plume

   a plume of smoke

5. a token or decoration of honour; prize
6. 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

1. to adorn or decorate with feathers or plumes
2. (of a bird) to clean or preen (itself or its feathers)
3. foll byon or upon to pride or congratulate (oneself)

plume

/ plo̅o̅m /

1. A feather, especially a large one.
2. A body of magma that rises from the Earth's mantle into the crust.
3. ◆ If a plume rises to the Earth's surface, it erupts as lava.
4. ◆ If it remains below the Earth's surface, it eventually solidifies into a body of rock known as a pluton.
5. 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

• plumeless adjective
• plumelike adjective
• re·plume verb (used with object) replumed repluming

Word History and Origins

Origin of plume¹

1350–1400; earlier plome, plume, Middle English plume < Middle French < Latin plūma soft feather (> Old English plūm-, in plūmfether downy feather)

Word History and Origins

Origin of plume¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin plūma downy feather

Example Sentences

The video below shows an immense plume of smoke from the fire, blown by the Santa Ana winds on Wednesday, as parts of Camarillo Heights burned.

From Los Angeles Times

Satellite imagery showcases the Mountain fire’s fury as homes are reduced to rubble and a vast plume of smoke stretches into the atmosphere.

From Los Angeles Times

Video footage and images show large plumes of smoke rising in the sky, covering entire neighbourhoods.

From BBC

Earlier at their station in the nearby city of Zahle, they had heard a powerful explosion - and from their balcony seen a plume of smoke in the distance.

From BBC

The cause of the blaze, which swept through multiple units and sent massive plumes of smoke into the air, is being investigated by the Los Angeles Fire Department’s arson team, according to the department.

From Los Angeles Times