Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Plumb

Plumb

(plŭm)
,
Noun.
[F.
plomb
, L.
plumbum
lead, a leaden ball or bullet; cf. Gr.
μόλυβος
,
μόλιβος
,
μόλυβδος
. Cf.
Plummet
,
Plunge
.]
A little mass or weight of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction; a plummet; a plumb bob. See
Plumb line
, below.
Plumb bob
.
See
Bob
, 4.
–
Plumb joint
,
in sheet-metal work, a lap joint, fastened by solder.
–
Plumb level
.
See under
Level
.
–
Plumb line
.
(a)
The cord by which a plumb bob is suspended; a plummet
.
(b)
A line directed to the center of gravity of the earth.
–
Plumb rule
,
a narrow board with a plumb line, used by builders and carpenters.

Plumb

,
Adj.
Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line attached to a plumb;
as, the wall is
plumb
.

Plumb

,
adv.
In a plumb direction; perpendicularly.
“Plumb down he falls.”
Milton.

Plumb

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Plumbed
(plŭmd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Plumbing
(plŭm′ĭng)
.]
1.
To adjust by a plumb line; to cause to be perpendicular;
as, to
plumb
a building or a wall
.
2.
To sound with a plumb or plummet, as the depth of water; hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth, quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test.
He did not attempt to
plumb
his intellect.
Ld. Lytton.
3.
To seal with lead;
as, to
plumb
a drainpipe
.
4.
To supply, as a building, with a system of plumbing.

Webster 1828 Edition

Plumb

PLUMB

,
Noun.
plum. [L. plumbum, lead; probably a clump or lump.]
A mass of lead attached to a line, and used to ascertain a perpendicular position of buildings and the like. But the word as a noun is seldom used, except in composition. [See Plumb-line.]

PLUMB

,
Adj.
Perpendicular, that is, standing according to a plumb-line. The post of the house or the wall is plumb. [This is the common language of our mechanics.]

PLUMB

,
adv.
In a perpendicular direction; in a line perpendicular to the plane of the horizon. The wall stands plumb.
Plumb down he falls.
1.
Directly; suddenly; at once; as a falling mass; usually pronounced plump. He fell plumb into the water.

PLUMB

,
Verb.
T.
To adjust by a plumb-line; to set in a perpendicular direction; as, to plumb a building or a wall.
1.
To sound with a plummet, as the depth of water. [Little used.]

Similar Results