See Also: plumb(1)(dictionary)
plumb(2)(dictionary)
plumb(dictionary)
plumb 1, verb(dictionary)
plumb 2, adverb(dictionary)
plumb 3, adjective(dictionary)
plumb line(dictionary)

plumb(2) (iou)



plumb noun. ME.
[Prob. from Old French (repr. by plomme sounding-lead) from Proto-Romance from Latin plumbum lead, with later assim. to Old & mod. French plomb lead.]
A ball of lead or other heavy material, esp. one attached to a line for determining the vertical on an upright surface. ME.
out of plumb out of the perpendicular.
b. A sounding-lead, a plummet. LME.
Orig. plumb jordan, a deep hole functioning as a privy or lavatory. Later, a deep pool in a river, the sea, etc.; a perpendicular fall. Scot. & north. E16.
Comb.: plumb-bob a (usu. conoidal) bob forming the weight of a plumb-line; plumb jordan: see sense 2 above; plumb-line noun (a) a line or cord with a plumb attached, for determining the vertical; (b) fig. a means of testing or judging; a standard; (c) Geometry a vertical or perpendicular line; a straight line at right angles to another; (d) a sounding-line; fig. a means of exploring or experiencing emotional depths; plumb-line verb trans. measure or determine (as) by a plumb-line; plumb-rule a mason's instrument for determining the vertical, consisting of a line or cord with a plumb attached, fastened to and swinging freely on the surface of a narrow straight-edged board marked with a longitudinal line which, when its position is vertical, coincides with the string.