Hypertext Webster Gateway: "plumb"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Plumb \Plumb\, n. [F. plomb, L. plumbum lead, a leaden ball or
bullet; cf. Gr. ?, ?, ?. 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Plumb \Plumb\, a.
Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line
attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Plumb \Plumb\, adv.
In a plumb direction; perpendicularly. ``Plumb down he
falls.'' --Milton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Plumb \Plumb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plumbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plumbing}.]
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
plumb
adj : exactly vertical; "the tower of Pisa is far out of plumb
n : the metal bob of a plumb line [syn: {plumb bob}, {plummet}]
adv 1: (slang) completely; used as intensifiers; "clean forgot the
appointment"; "I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out" [syn:
{clean}, {plum}]
2: conforming to the direction of a plumb line
3: (informal) exactly; "fell plumb in the middle of the puddle"
[syn: {plum}]
v 1: measure the depth of something
2: weight with lead
3: examine thoroughly and in great depth
4: adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical
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