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.
plumage.
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),plumed,plum·ing.
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.
Origin of plume
1350–1400; earlier plome, plume,Middle English plume<Middle French <Latin plūma soft feather (>Old English plūm-, in plūmfether downy feather)
OTHER WORDS FROM plume
plumeless,adjectiveplumelike,adjectivere·plume,verb (used with object),re·plumed,re·plum·ing.
The first was a plume of moisture from Tropical Storm Fausto, far to the south, which managed to travel north to California on the wind and provide just enough moisture to form clouds.
What’s behind August 2020’s extreme weather? Climate change and bad luck|Carolyn Gramling|August 27, 2020|Science News
The extent to which fecal aerosol plumes are infecting people with the SARS-CoV-2 virus isn’t known, said Queensland’s Morawska.
Scientists found coronavirus in a long-vacant apartment. A possible spreader? ‘Fecal aerosol plumes’|Claire Zillman, reporter|August 27, 2020|Fortune
It was one of the largest wildfire smoke plumes ever seen in the stratosphere, says Jessica Smith.
Australian wildfires pumped smoke to record heights|Maria Temming|July 27, 2020|Science News For Students
The rising plume lifted up record amounts of water and carbon monoxide.
Australian wildfires pumped smoke to record heights|Maria Temming|July 27, 2020|Science News For Students
Those winds have never been observed around similar plumes, researchers report online May 30 in Geophysical Research Letters.
Smoke from Australian fires rose higher into the ozone layer than ever before|Maria Temming|June 15, 2020|Science News
Borgman has escaped through a tunnel, leaving a plume of smoke in his wake.
The Twisted Sadism of ‘Borgman’|Alex Suskind|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Reprinted with the permission of Plume, a member of the Penguin Group.
Rick Moody: Why I Write|Rick Moody|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As ocean currents head eastward across the Pacific, the plume is expected eventually to hit the West Coast of the United States.
Japanese Debris Plume From Tsunami Migrating Across Pacific Ocean|Daniel Stone|March 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Follow the path as the plume spreads and the ultimate destination becomes clear.
Japanese Debris Plume From Tsunami Migrating Across Pacific Ocean|Daniel Stone|March 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The plume spread over 16 miles, suffocating many living things in its wake.
He had crowned himself with the basin, and pulled his hair through it in the shape of a plume.
Cleg Kelly, Arab of the City|S. R. (Samuel Rutherford) Crockett
Plume de coq, that they reckoned at thirty-five, was beaten by Basilicate by two lengths.
Rene Mauperin|Edmond de Goncourt and Jules de Goncourt
The door slammed, and Mr. Driscoll puffed down the stairs leaving behind him a trail of language like a locomotive's plume.
The Walking Delegate|Leroy Scott
"I shall have to run down to Sandy again," said Byrne, to Plume.
An Apache Princess|Charles King
Soldiers, if my standard falls, look for the plume upon your king's helmet!
The Last Of The Barons, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
British Dictionary definitions for plume
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
biologyany feathery part, such as the structure on certain fruits and seeds that aids dispersal by wind
something that resembles a plumea plume of smoke
a token or decoration of honour; prize
geologya 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 basaltsAlso called: mantle plume
verb(tr)
to adorn or decorate with feathers or plumes
(of a bird) to clean or preen (itself or its feathers)
(foll by on or upon) to pride or congratulate (oneself)
Derived forms of plume
plumeless, adjectiveplumelike, adjective
Word Origin for plume
C14: from Old French, from Latin plūma downy feather
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.