plume
1. A feather; especially, a soft, downy feather, or a long, conspicuous, or handsome feather. Wings . . . Of many a coloured plume. (milton)
2. (Science: zoology) An ornamental tuft of feathers.
3. A feather, or group of feathers, worn as an ornament; a waving ornament of hair, or other material resembling feathers. His high plume, that nodded o’er his head. (Dryden)
4. A token of honor or prowess; that on which one prides himself; a prize or reward. Ambitious to win from me some plume.
5. (Science: botany) A large and flexible panicle of inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.
(Science: zoology) Plume bird, any bird that yields ornamental plumes, especially the species of Epimarchus from new guinea, and some of the herons and egrets, as the white heron of Florida (Ardea candidissima). Plume grass.
(Science: botany) An aromatic Australian tree (Atherosperma moschata), whose numerous carpels are tipped with long plumose persistent styles.
Origin: F, fr. L. Pluma. Cf. Fly.
1. To pick and adjust the plumes or feathers of; to dress or prink. Pluming her wings among the breezy bowers. (W. Irving)
2. To strip of feathers; to pluck; to strip; to pillage; also, to peel.
3. To adorn with feathers or plumes. Farewell the plumed troop.
4. To pride; to vaunt; to boast; used reflexively; as, he plumes himself on his ski
527
ll.
(Science: medicine) Plumed adder, the California mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus). See Mountain quail, under Mountain.
Origin: Cf. F. Plumer to pluck, to strip, L. Plumare to cover with feathers.
Dictionary > Plumes
You will also like...
![Darwin's Finches - Natural Selection](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Darwins-Finches-Natural-Selection-252x168.jpg)
Darwin and Natural Selection
This tutorial investigates the genetic diversity in more detail. It also delineates how certain alleles are favored over..
![Chromosomes X and Y and Sex Determination](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Chromosomes-X-and-Y-and-Sex-Determination-300x168.jpg)
Chromosomes X and Y and Sex Determination
This tutorial looks at sex determination via the sex chromosomes, X and Y. Read it to get more info on X and Y chromosom..
![Photosynthesis and respiration](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Plant-Metabolism-284x168.jpg)
Plant Metabolism
Plants are responsible for incredible feats of molecular transformation. Plant processes, such as photosynthesis, photop..
![Homo Species](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Homo-Species-198x168.jpg)
The Homo Species
The evolution of the species of the genus "Homo" led to the emergence of modern humans. Find out more about human evolut..
![Wart-like leaf galls on grape leaves](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Plant-Cell-Defense-252x168.jpg)
Plant Cell Defense
Plants protect themselves by releasing hydrogen peroxide to fight against fungal invasion. Another way is by secreting c..
![An artist's depiction of the origin of amphibians](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Amphibians-Early-Reptiles-297x168.jpg)
Amphibians & Early Reptiles
Obtaining air outside an aquatic environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and this was the case of ..