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.
© Webster 1913.
Plumb, a.
Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.
© Webster 1913.
Plumb, adv.
In a plumb direction; perpendicularly.
"
Plumb down he falls."
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.