plumb

¹

[pluhm]

noun

1. a small mass of lead or other heavy material, as that suspended by a line and used to measure the depth of water or to ascertain a vertical line.

adjective

1. true according to a plumb line perpendicular.

   Synonyms: square, straight, vertical

2. Informal.,  downright or absolute.

adverb

1. in a perpendicular or vertical direction.

2. exactly, precisely, or directly.

3. Informal.,  completely or absolutely.

   She was plumb mad. You're plumb right.

verb (used with object)

1. to test or adjust by a plumb line.

2. to make vertical.

3. Shipbuilding.,  horn.

4. to sound with or as with a plumb line.

5. to measure (depth) by sounding.

6. to examine closely in order to discover or understand.

   to plumb someone's thoughts.

7. to seal with lead.

8. to weight with lead.

9. to provide (a house, building, apartment, etc.) with plumbing.

verb (used without object)

1. to work as a plumber.

Plumb

²

[pluhm]

noun

1. J(ohn) H(arold), 1911–2001, British historian.

plumb

/ plʌm /

noun

1. a weight, usually of lead, suspended at the end of a line and used to determine water depth or verticality

2. the perpendicular position of a freely suspended plumb line (esp in the phrases out of plumb, off plumb )

adjective

1. informal,  (prenominal) (intensifier)

   a plumb nuisance

adverb

1. in a vertical or perpendicular line

2. informal,  (intensifier)

   plumb stupid

3. informal,  exactly; precisely (also in the phrase plumb on )

verb

1. to test the alignment of or adjust to the vertical with a plumb line

2. (tr) to undergo or experience (the worst extremes of misery, sadness, etc)

   to plumb the depths of despair

3. (tr) to understand or master (something obscure)

   to plumb a mystery

4. to connect or join (a device such as a tap) to a water pipe or drainage system

Other Word Forms

• plumbable adjective
• plumbless adjective
• plumbness noun
• replumb verb (used with object)
• unplumb adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumb¹

1250–1300; Middle English plumbe, probably < Anglo-French *plombe < Vulgar Latin *plumba, for Latin plumbum lead

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumb¹

C13: from Old French plomb (unattested) lead line, from Old French plon lead, from Latin plumbum lead

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. out of / off plumb, not corresponding to the perpendicular; out of true.

Example Sentences

The songs on Del Real’s first solo album — the title yet to be revealed — plumb the depths of silence and sonic expansion.

From Los Angeles Times

In the intervening years, Anderson, who is 95, has plumbed the cloistered world of clock collectors.

From Los Angeles Times

As is often the case when Hamilton struggles, not only does his mood plumb the depths, but the F1 rumour mill spins into overdrive.

From BBC

This also included adding modern conveniences like electricity, indoor plumbing, phone lines and air-conditioning.

From Salon

During that time they have been to the heat of Treviso and plumbed the depths of their stamina to find an extra edge.

From BBC

Related Words

• delve 
• explore 
• fathom 
• penetrate 
• unravel