PLUMB

plumb

(adjective) exactly vertical; “the tower of Pisa is far out of plumb”

clean, plumb, plum

(adverb) completely; used as intensifiers; “clean forgot the appointment”; “I’m plumb (or plum) tuckered out”

plumb, plum

(adverb) exactly; “fell plumb in the middle of the puddle”

plumb

(adverb) conforming to the direction of a plumb line

plumb

(verb) adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical

plumb

(verb) examine thoroughly and in great depth

plumb

(verb) measure the depth of something

plumb

(verb) weight with lead

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Adjective

plumb (comparative more plumb, superlative most plumb)

Truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line.

(cricket) Describing an LBW where the batsman is hit on the pads directly in front of his wicket and should be given out.

Synonyms

• (truly vertical): perpendicular

Adverb

plumb (not comparable)

In a vertical direction; perpendicularly.

(informal) Squarely, directly; completely.

Noun

plumb (plural plumbs)

A little mass of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc, to indicate a vertical direction.

(nautical) A weight on the end of a long line, used by sailors to determine the depth of water.

The perpendicular direction or position.

Synonyms

• (construction): plummet, plumb bob (UK), plumb line (US)

Verb

plumb (third-person singular simple present plumbs, present participle plumbing, simple past and past participle plumbed)

To determine the depth, generally of a liquid; to sound.

To attach to a water supply and drain.

(transitive, figurative) To think about or explore in depth, to get to the bottom of, especially to plumb the depths of.

To use a plumb bob as a measuring or aligning tool.

To accurately align vertically or horizontally.

(dated) To seal something with lead.

(intransitive) To work as a plumber.

(rare) To fall or sink like a plummet.

(US, colloquial, figuratively, obsolete) To trace a road or track; to follow it to its end.

(nautical) To position vertically above or below.

Etymology 2

Noun

plumb (plural plumbs)

Obsolete form of plum.

Proper noun

Plumb (plural Plumbs)

A surname.

Statistics

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Plumb is the 7601^st most common surname in the United States, belonging to 4372 individuals. Plumb is most common among White (94.05%) individuals.

Source: Wiktionary

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Plumb, n. Etym: [F. plomb, L. plumbum lead, a leaden ball or bullet; cf. Gr. Plummet, Plunge.]

Definition: A little mass or weight of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction; a plummet; a plumb bob. See Plumb line, below. Plumb bob. See Bob, 4.

– Plumb joint, in sheet-metal work, a lap joint, fastened by solder.

– Plumb level. See under Level.

– Plumb line. (a) The cord by which a plumb bob is suspended; a plummet. (b) A line directed to the center of gravity of the earth.

– Plumb rule, a narrow board with a plumb line, used by builders and carpenters.

Plumb, a.

Definition: Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.

Plumb, adv.

Definition: In a plumb direction; perpendicularly. "Plumb down he falls." Milton.

Plumb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plumbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Plumbing.]

1. To adjust by a plumb line; to cause to be perpendicular; as, to plumb a building or a wall.

2. To sound with a plumb or plummet, as the depth of water; hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth, quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test. He did not attempt to plumb his intellect. Ld. Lytton.

3. To seal with lead; as, to plumb a drainpipe.

4. To supply, as a building, with a system of plumbing.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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