Plumb (original) (raw)
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The metal bob of a plumb line
Synonyms:
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:
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:
Classified under:
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:
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
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)