Plume

Quick meaning: Plume is a noun meaning (figurative) A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides oneself; a prize or reward.

Meaning

(figurative) A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides oneself; a prize or reward.

More Meanings

1. The vane (“flattened, web-like part”) of a feather, especially when on a quill pen or the fletching of an arrow.
2. Ellipsis of plume moth (“a small, slender moth of the family Pterophoridae”).
3. Things resembling a feather.
4. (transitive, also figurative) To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.
5. (transitive, reflexive) Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence (figurative), to prepare for (something).
6. (archaic, literary and poetic) A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.
7. (archaic, literary and poetic) A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.

Example Sentences

Near-synonym: aigrette

Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!

But well thou comſt / Before thy fellows, ambitious to win / From me ſom Plume, that thy ſucceſs may ſhow / Deſtruction to the reſt: […]

[T]he most valuable cargo carried by the Titanic wasn't diamonds or gold but 12 cases of ostrich plumes valued at $2.3 million in today's money.

Word Forms

• plumes
• pluming
• plumed
• plumest
• plumedst
• plumeth

Synonyms for plume

Depending on context, synonyms include aigrette, feather, fledge, unplume, preen, fleece.

Antonyms for plume

Common opposites include undercharge.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include plumage, feather, fleece, preen, dress, soak.

Related Dictionary Tools