Library / English Dictionary

PLUMB

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The metal bob of a plumb line

Synonyms:

plumb; plumb bob; plummet

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("plumb" is a kind of...):

bob (a hanging weight, especially a metal ball on a string)

Holonyms ("plumb" is a part of...):

perpendicular; plumb line (a cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's center of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point)

Derivation:

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

plumb (weight with lead)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Exactly vertical

Example:

the tower of Pisa is far out of plumb

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

perpendicular; vertical (at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "plumb" is one way to...):

adjust; correct; set (alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

plumb (the metal bob of a plumb line)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Examine thoroughly and in great depth

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "plumb" is one way to...):

explore (examine minutely)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence examples:

The men plumb the area for animals

The men plumb for animals in the area

Sense 3

Meaning:

Measure the depth of something

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "plumb" is one way to...):

measure; quantify (express as a number or measure or quantity)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

plumbing (measuring the depths of the oceans)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Weight with lead

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "plumb" is one way to...):

burden; burthen; weight; weight down (weight down with a load)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

plumb (the metal bob of a plumb line)

 IV. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Completely; used as intensifiers

Example:

I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out

Synonyms:

clean; plum; plumb

Classified under:

Adverbs

Domain usage:

argot; cant; jargon; lingo; patois; slang; vernacular (a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exactly

Example:

fell plumb in the middle of the puddle

Synonyms:

plum; plumb

Classified under:

Adverbs

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Conforming to the direction of a plumb line

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

It dealt with man and his soul-gropings in their ultimate terms, plumbing the abysses of space for the testimony of remotest suns and rainbow spectrums.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Along with good-fortune Jupiter, you have Saturn (ruling the structure of a home), Pluto (ruling plumbing and the basement), and Mercury (ruling deeds, contracts, leases, and agreements) all in your home and family sector.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)