plumes

/pluːmz/

noun

  1. 1

    A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.

  2. 2

    A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.

  3. 3

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

  4. 4

    The vane of a feather, especially when on a quill pen or the fletching of an arrow.

  5. 5

    Short for plume moth.

  6. 6

    Things resembling a feather.

verb

  1. 1

    To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.

  2. 2

    Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence , to prepare for (something).

  3. 3

    (by extension) To congratulate (oneself) proudly, especially concerning something unimportant or when taking credit for another person's effort; to self-congratulate.

    He plumes himself on his skill.
  4. 4

    To strip (a bird) of feathers; to pluck.

  5. 5

    Of a dispersed substance such as dust or smoke: to fan out or spread in a cloud.

    Smoke plumed from his pipe, then slowly settled towards the floor.

Translate “plumes” to another language

Click any language to open the translator with this word already filled in.

Plumes Definition & Meaning | TranslatePulse