Category:Plumb

Plumb, n. Etym: [f. plomb, l. plumbum lead, a leaden ball or bullet; Cf. Gr. Plummet, plunge.]

Defn: 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.

Plumb Plumb, a.

Defn: perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line Attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.

Plumb Plumb, adv.

Defn: in a plumb direction; perpendicularly. "plumb down he falls." Milton.

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.