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Added 8 October 2026

plume

/ˈpluːm/ noun

In Latin: plūma Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about plume at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.
A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.
A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides oneself; a prize or reward.

verb

To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.
Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence , to prepare for (something).
To congratulate (oneself) proudly, especially concerning something unimportant or when taking credit for another person's effort; to self-congratulate; to preen.
He plumes himself on his skill.

Origin

From Late Middle English plum, plume (“feather; plumage”), from Anglo-Norman plum, plume, from Old French plume, plome (“feather, plumage”), from Latin plūma (“feather, plumage”) (compare Late Latin plūma (“pen, quill”)), from Proto-Italic *plouksmā, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *plewk- (“to fly”). Doublet of pluma.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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